VCU news

By Joe Kuttenkuler

The ASK Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at the VCU Medical Center has been selected as one of the ten most innovative designs in the country for 2002 by the Center for Innovation in Health Facilities (CIHF), a national organization that recognizes and promotes creative, functional architecture in the health care field.

Designed by Baskervill & Son architectural firm, the 3,600-square-foot clinic opened last December and is located on the second floor of the Nelson Clinic Building, 401 N. 11th St. The clinic was the result of a five-month renovation project funded by a generous gift from ASK - the Association for the Support of Children with Cancer.

In their remarks, the judges wrote; "The ASK Pediatric Oncology Clinic at VCU blends health care with imagination, embracing empowerment, hope, and youthful energy during a family's most challenging time. The environment is a warm and welcoming haven for children, families and staff."

Twinkling star fiber optics in the ceiling greet patients as they enter the clinic. The waiting area includes brightly colored walls and artwork, age-appropriate furniture, and an activity table where children can read, color or work puzzles. Eight colorful exam rooms, and a large treatment room adorned with aquatic scenes and bubbling neon tanks make the environment appear more mystical than medical.

"The new ASK Pediatric Oncology Clinic is a wonderful addition to the Medical Center," said Darrell Johnson, vice president for support services and planning at the VCU Medical Center. "The warm, friendly setting is a wonderful environment for patients and their families. We are proud to be associated with such a successful project and thank ASK and Baskervill & Son for their tremendous support."

Earlier this year, the CIHF conducted a survey of 5,000 health care executives and 250 consultants regarding the latest innovations in the health care architecture. A panel of judges reviewed data from the survey and distilled a top ten list of the most innovative facilities.

"This is validation that the ASK clinic is at the forefront of heath care delivery services," said Bruce Tyler, president of Baskervill & Son. "Because of the vision of the ASK organization and the hospital staff, we were able to make their vision a reality."

According to Anne Cuomo, patient care chairperson with ASK, the clinic's final design was a blend of many ideas with two core goals. "We wanted to make the environment home-like and magical," she said.

Cuomo credits the clinic's award-winning design to the architects' thorough understanding of the needs of the children and families that would be using the space. "The designers really immersed themselves in this project. They got to know some of the children and the families that we serve and wanted to create a unique environment that would benefit everyone."

In addition to aesthetics, the clinic received praise by the udges for the way storage areas and workstations were integrated into treatment spaces to create a more efficient flow that enhances patient care.

Other innovative design winners include, The Laurance S. Rockefeller Outpatient Pavilion at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, N.Y., the S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Calif., and Texas Children's Hospital Clinical Care Center.

Formed in 1997, CIHF is a non-profit organization created to foster creativity in the design, planning and operation of health care facilities. The center promotes research, conducts surveys and has published several books on health care planning and design.