Almost 70 percent of cancer patients in Macomb County had to drive far from home for care in 2001. McLaren-Macomb saw the need for compassionate cancer care of the highest quality close to home and opened the Ted B. Wahby Cancer Center in 2004.

While the program initially offered radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology (2005), digital mammography (2006) and orthopaedic oncology (2007) followed soon after.

It became a member of the McLaren Cancer Institute, a joint venture between Michigan State University and McLaren Health Care (the hospital's parent corporation), in 2006 in order to expand services for patients in the region. The institute integrates the research and educational resources of MSU with the doctors and facilities associated with McLaren.

The cancer program achieved a significant milestone in 2008 when the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer awarded it a three-year accreditation as a Teaching Hospital Cancer Program with commendations in eight standards.