Our Commitment to Cancer Care, Made Concrete
A first-person reflection by Ramon E. Parsons, MD, PhD
New York has been home to renowned cancer institutions for more than a century. Thinking of history’s long reach always puts things in perspective for me—what can we do and build and learn today that will change the next one hundred years. When I think of a great city’s modern cancer hospital—one that serves todays needs and rises to tomorrow’s potential—I think of how it should not only serve as a destination, but it should also set standards for what patients and their families can expect during their most vulnerable moments. It is brick and mortar, machines and medicines, but the most important thing a cancer hospital can be is fundamentally human: a space where excellent clinical outcomes and a compassionate patient experience are not mutually exclusive, but inseparable.
Designed for Patients and Families
A two-story atrium and sky garden will be an urban oasis for patients and their families to rest and recharge, or engage with others. A family waiting area and café will offer beverages, sandwiches, and other refreshments in a space for socializing. Sleeping and showering accommodations will be provided for loved ones to ensure they can stay as long as they choose.
Versatile Patient Spaces
A 24-hour oncology urgent care unit provides an alternative to the stressful intakes of a typical emergency department, connecting patients with the care they need quickly and safely. 72 acuity-adaptable, fully ADA-accessible private patient rooms are on four floors. Every room—or even entire floors—will have the capability to become an ICU space if needed. Every patient room has full monitor display for patient education, nutrition, or information on their caregivers along with other digital portals.
