Project Description
United under one roof, the medical staff, educators, and researchers at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center are committed to raising the bar for cancer care in a humanistic way. This comprehensive cancer center, completed in July 2012, offers examination and diagnostic services in its multi-disciplinary clinics and breast care clinic, as well as full treatment services including infusion therapy, apheresis, radiation therapy, and inpatient care. A patient library located on along the connecting link to the hospital on the entry floor offers educational resources to patients and their families. Designed and built in two phases, the building is located to the south of the existing Ambulatory Care Facility (ACF) and adjoins hospital main lobby. The base building, completed in February 2009, was designed for outpatient services and research labs. It was planned for future expansion. The additional four bed floors above the base building were completed in July 2012.
The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center is a state-of-the-art cancer center that aims to provide welcoming, patient-friendly treatment and clinic areas as well as functional, efficient research labs. The organizational core of the building is an elegant three-story atrium that provides ample natural light, visibility, and connectivity across departments. Fully glazed entry lounges on each level help orient visitors with views of the landscaped medical campus. A consistent palette of natural and sustainable materials – cherry wood wall paneling, terrazzo flooring, transparent glazing, and earth-toned brick – create a comforting environment for building users. The stone healing garden, rooftop skylights, and living room setting provide a welcoming environment conducive to healing.
Input from staff volunteers, cancer survivors, physicians, and nurses resulted in a sensitive, efficient design that provides compassionate multidisciplinary patient care, improves cancer research, and enriches healthcare education. The infusion therapy area, where cancer patients spend many hours, has spacious, private infusion bays with maximal daylighting. The 3 patient units, where cancer patients recover from bone marrow transplants, surgeries, or other oncology treatments, feature decentralized nurse stations and all private bedrooms with restrooms and family sleep areas. For researchers and healthcare professionals, public spaces located on each floor promote cross-discipline interaction, resulting in increased work efficiency, improved satisfaction, and a higher employee retention. Throughout the building, clear wayfinding minimizes confusion for patients and visitors, and separate staff circulation reduces infection control issues. In addition, the large, open floor plates permit flexible planning and the ability to expand the facility for future needs.