The largest construction project in the history of the University of Nebraska is nearing completion. After nearly five years of planning and construction and $323 million, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center will soon officially open its doors later this month.
This is truly a landmark event in medical center history. It is a game changer. It will make UNMC/Nebraska Medicine a destination for people seeking the best possible cancer care.
Let me take a few minutes to highlight what makes the cancer center so special.
First, it starts with the people working there. Obviously, working in oncology can be challenging. The patients are experiencing the most stressful time in their lives. It takes special people to be able to alleviate their anxiety and get them through the process. The treatments can last for months, even years, so strong friendships are formed between the caregivers and patients. They become like family.
Overcoming cancer is a process that involves healing the mind, body and the spirit. One of the dramatic features of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is the emphasis on the healing arts. Throughout the building there will beautiful art exhibits that will help ease the stress of dealing with cancer.
The Chihuly Sanctuary — given by Suzanne and Walter Scott and designed by the world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly — marks the first time Chihuly has ever created a sanctuary in the hospital setting. A huge glass tower by Omaha’s Jun Kaneko will grace the exterior of the building and will provide a spectacular landmark that can be seen from several blocks away for people going south on Saddle Creek Road. Leslie’s Healing Garden will provide a calming serenity that comes with beautiful plants and flowers. But that’s not all – multiple other exhibits will be spaced around the building.
The 108 patient rooms in the CL Werner Cancer Hospital will be state-of-the-art and will make patient and family comfort a priority. All families will receive an electronic tablet that can be used as both an educational and entertainment tool. The tablets will have many apps and video games. The televisions will have a broader range of cable channels. Patients will be able to write down questions for their caregivers on an erasable wall.
The Suzanne and Walter Scott Cancer Research Tower will include 98 laboratories – 14 labs on each of seven floors. The labs will incorporate all the lessons learned from the Durham Research Center Towers and take it to the next level. Key equipment such as centrifuges and hoods will be located in the center of the labs to make them more accessible to the researchers.
Best of all, researchers and clinicians will be working together on the same floors. They will be riding the same elevators and interacting every day. Special collaboration centers will be located on each floor to provide a perfect setting for them to sit down and discuss their ideas and findings and look for new solutions.
One thing that stands out is the enormity of the complex. It is 615,000 square feet. Each floor of the hospital spans the length of a football field. The labs are much the same. Yet, as large as the cancer center is, the emphasis is on making it easy for patients to navigate. Every cancer service will be located in the building. Patients will no longer have to trek to several different buildings to receive the care they need. It will be one-stop care.
A $323 million cancer center doesn’t just happen. The community support for this project is almost too large to fathom. The generosity of the lead donors – Pamela Buffett, C.L. Werner and the Scotts – will be indelibly etched in the transformation of UNMC. But, it doesn’t stop there. More than 15 foundations and organizations also made major contributions to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.
In an unprecedented show of support, a total of $90 million in funding also was received from the state, county and city level and an employee campaign raised more than $322,000 for the project.
Finally, there are hundreds of UNMC faculty, staff and volunteers who have committed their time and expertise to this wonderful project.
I hope you are able to check out this incredible facility. We will be holding a dedication event at 2:15 p.m. on May 23. On May 27 from 9 a.m. to noon, there will be a public open house – a perfect time for you to bring your entire family.
Next, with our hooding ceremony occurring on May 5 and commencement taking place on May 6, I want to take a minute to salute our College of Medicine graduates. It not only will be a very special time for our students, but it also means so much to their families. My heartiest congratulations to all!