A pioneering medical center in North Rockville is in a prime position to set the tone for advanced cancer research.

Adventist HealthCare's Shady Grove Medical Center received over $1 million in funding from donors to further develop cutting-edge cancer-care at the Aquilino Cancer Center. With the funding, research and development will happen inside the Bill Richards Center for Healing, a subsidiary within the Aquilino Cancer Center.

"The groundbreaking research undertaken at the Aquilino Cancer Center, combined with state-of-the art clinical techniques and programs that reinforce the importance of self-care through proper nutrition, exercise, music, art, and meditation is part of our mission in motion," stated Mary Greenberg, Vice President, Service Lines & Business Development with Adventist HealthCare. 

Gaithersburg-based Adventist Healthcare said the center has a series of firsts. Located on the campus of Adventist HealthCare's Shady Grove Medical Center, the Aquilino Cancer Center is the first full-service stand-alone community cancer center in Montgomery County and the first community health center to receive FDA approval for clinical trials for the efficacy of group administration of psilocybin for the treatment of depression.

A total of $1.5 million was given by Mike and Amy Aquilino to continue state-of-the-art research and innovative therapies. They are long-time supporters of the namesake Aquilino Cancer Center.

Joining Adventist HealthCare in its efforts is Potomac-based Sunstone Therapies, which is a startup spun off from Adventist Healthcare that is focused on the research and commercialization of psychedelic therapies for people affected by cancer.

Adventist HealthCare's recently launched the White Oak Medical Center in Northern Silver Spring, along with an adjacent medical center that opened last year.