Based in Richmond, Virginia and housed within Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to working toward a future without cancer. Massey was founded in 1974 and conducts cancer research across multiple domains including basic science (laboratory), translational, clinical and population sciences research. Notably, the cancer center excels in translating research discoveries into advancements in cancer treatment and prevention, while also addressing disparities in cancer care to ensure equal access to quality screenings and treatments. Its vision is to be a premier community-focused cancer center—leading the nation in cancer health equity research and ensuring optimal health outcomes for all. At Massey’s MCV (Medical College of Virginia) campus in downtown Richmond, audio visual systems in three conference rooms were outdated and in need of upgrades. After securing grant funding, Massey engaged Midlothian, Virginiabased Code3AV to consult on a solution. Based on the unique criteria and intended uses of display technology in these spaces, Code3AV recommended fine pitch LED video walls from Planar.
The integrations include:
A nearly 10-foot-wide, 5.5-foot-high Planar® MGP Complete™ 136-inch LED video wall with a 1.5mm pixel pitch (MGP1.5) in the Thalhimer conference room located in the Goodwin Research Building.
Two nearly 8-foot-wide, 4.5-foot-high Planar® MGP Complete™ 108-inch LED video walls with a 1.2 mm pixel pitch (MGP1.2 ) in two conference rooms located in the McGlothlin Medical Education Center (MMEC).
True Representation
Better patient outcomes with cancer treatment can be achieved when cohesive teams of medical experts work collaboratively together. At VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, nurses, counselors and other practitioners regularly engage in this multidisciplinary approach to identify the best treatment plan, customized for each patient.
Massey convenes these meetings-known as Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards—in the MMEC conference rooms where the Planar MGP Series LED video walls play an integral part by providing high clarity visualizations of CT scans, X-rays, MRIs and other kinds of imaging crucial for detecting and analyzing cancer cells.
“Massey is a leader in Virginia and across the U.S. for advancing interdisciplinary care,” said William McCormick, director of IT Services at Massey. “Teams of doctors, nurses and specialists congregate in these conference rooms to deliberate on each patient’s case and the best treatment plan. When viewing medical images, it’s extremely important that what they are viewing is precise. There can’t be any kind of distortion when examining cancer cells.”
This requirement was a driving factor for selecting the Planar MGP Series LED video walls. “The Planar solutions provide a true representation of medical imagery without any compression or artifacting,” said Code3AV Sales Engineer Mike Neal. “Laptop images, at their 1080 native resolution, are displayed on the video walls with an exact pixel to pixel match. If they blow up the images, the correct pixel size stays intact. That was a very critical path with this project.”
The conference rooms are also used by various Massey programs and departments for cancer-related meetings and are equipped with cameras, microphones and automated camera tracking for video conferencing capabilities. “The video walls are extremely bright and very detailed,” McCormick said. “People can easily view the displays from anywhere in the rooms. It’s exactly what we needed—the perfect fit for what we are trying to accomplish.”
Flagship Conference Room
Revamp Adjacent to the office of the director at Massey is the Thalhimer conference room the organization’s premier venue for high-level meetings and presentations. Much like the Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards held in the MMEC conference rooms, Thalhimer also serves as a gathering space for assemblies focused on developmental therapeutics. According to McCormick, the new Planar MGP Complete 136-inch LED video wall provides a key enhancement for these activities.
“Thalhimer is where we host senators, dignitaries, diplomats, as well as organizations like the National Cancer Institute and the American Association for Cancer Research,” McCormick said. “The impression we make in these meetings is extremely important, and the video wall plays a crucial role in this regard—it’s truly impressive.”
It’s also simple to use. “The people that rely on this video wall are brilliant but they are not techies,” McCormick explained. “When they give a presentation, they need to focus on their topic, not the technology that enables it. They want it to just work, and this solution does just that.”
Code3AV CEO Peter Norman emphasized the two main goals of the overall audio visual upgrade: deliver a solution that is both user-friendly and true to form with optics. “Our approach has always been to view solutions from the client’s perspective and to provide them with the right technology for the best user experience possible,” Norman said. “We believe we definitely met these expectations here.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
