New KU Proton Therapy Cancer Treatment Center 1st in Five-State Region  

Following years of planning, The University of Kansas Health System has received the equipment necessary for a new proton therapy treatment center, designed by architecture planning and design firm Hoefer Welker in partnership with Stantec. The construction of the new proton therapy center is in partnership with McCownGordon Construction and construction firm Linbeck. Located in Kansas City, Kansas, the facility spans 38,200 square feet.

One of only 38 proton therapy centers in the United States, the new facility will be the only cancer center to offer this specialized form of radiation treatment throughout Kansas and its surrounding states, including Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado and Arkansas. Treatment will be offered through The University of Kansas Cancer Center when complete, with the multimillion-dollar care center serving cancer patients throughout the region and beyond. The project is tentatively slated to be completed in December and will be open to patients in January 2022.

Throughout the design process, the team coordinated with physicians and other members of the medical team to determine the needs of patients, families and caregivers. This included a collaborative visioning session that assessed psychological, sociological and physiological impacts on all involved parties, as well as goals and success metrics. Using data gathered during the session, the facility was designed with a focus on clinical flow, calming aesthetics and an improved patient and staff experience.

The new proton treatment center also includes a protective concrete vault to guard against unnecessary radiation. The vault walls are six to nine feet thick and will house 160 tons of equipment. Construction of the vault will require 2,721 cubic yards of concrete and 377,513 pounds – or 125 pickup trucks’ worth – of steel rebar.

Photos courtesy of Hoefer Welker.