HKS Architects and FreemanWhite to jointly design signature building on Baptist Jacksonville outpatient campus
Jacksonville, Fla., July 16, 2015 – Baptist Health and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center are moving forward with the architectural design of the new Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center that will provide a home for highly coordinated, multidisciplinary cancer care for adult patients throughout our region.
HKS Architects Inc., an international company with an office in Orlando, and FreemanWhite, a Haskell Company dedicated exclusively to health care, were selected as the design team for the project, which is anticipated to open in 2018. Haskell is a leading integrated design, engineering and construction firm based in Jacksonville. Both HKS and FreemanWhite have extensive experience in the design of health care facilities, and the two firms collectively have designed nearly 140 cancer centers. Currently, HKS Architects is also designing an expansion of MD Anderson in Houston, Texas.
“The new Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center will be part of the Southbank skyline, visible from I-95, and a symbol of our powerful commitment to bring a new level of cancer care to our region,” said Hugh Greene, Baptist Health president and CEO. “Every aspect of the facility will be designed around the unique needs of cancer patients and their caregivers.”
The same cutting-edge technology, multidisciplinary approach and leading cancer care that is available in Houston will be delivered at Baptist MD Anderson in Jacksonville when it launches later this year. The design of the facility will reflect the highly collaborative and integrated approach to care which brings medical, surgical and radiation oncology physicians together to plan and deliver the patient’s treatment as one coordinated team. Social workers, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, and pharmacists are among the many specialists who will all work within the cancer center, providing patients with one home to meet all their oncology needs.
“Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center is an opportunity to create a facility that will be a legacy for subsequent generations. With this iconic cancer center, Baptist Health will demonstrate the challenge and opportunities for discovery inherent in 21st Century cancer care,” according to Carl Beers, principal of HKS Architects Inc., and Frank Brooks, CEO of Freeman White, a Haskell Company. “Through the power of architecture, the new building will be a powerful symbol of commitment to empower the cancer patient. HKS and FreemanWhite are excited to be a part of the team.”
The design process for the new Baptist MD Anderson facility will begin this month and is expected to be completed by February 2016. In addition to leveraging the architectural firms’ long history of health and cancer care experience, the process will include visioning sessions with Baptist Health and MD Anderson leadership, the medical team and the community.
The new building will be located on San Marco Boulevard, across the street from the Baptist Outpatient Center, situated on the two blocks currently bordered by San Marco Boulevard, Children’s Way, Gary Street and Palm Avenue. The new building is anticipated to be more than 200,000 square feet with a dedicated 500-car parking garage and valet service for ease of patient access. Beautiful landscaping will blend with and enhance the surrounding neighborhood. Project cost has not yet been determined.
In anticipation of the launch of the joint cancer program with MD Anderson in October 2015, Baptist Health has started renovating the Baptist Outpatient Center on San Marco, which will serve as the initial home of Baptist MD Anderson.
“It is important to say that we are building upon a foundation constructed by talented clinicians here in Jacksonville who soon will have greater access to the resources, facilities and equipment which will allow them to provide the same high quality of cancer care as MD Anderson provides in Houston,” said John Wilbanks, Baptist Health chief operating officer and executive vice president.
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