UK Commences Construction on a New $781 Million Cancer and Ambulatory Center
Groundbreaking Ceremony Takes Place
The University of Kentucky marked a significant step in its commitment to enhance health care services today by hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Cancer and Advanced Ambulatory Building. The much anticipated $781 million project, a 550,000-square-foot medical centre, will be located at the intersection of State St. and University Ave on South Limestone.
A Boost to Current Capabilities
The cornerstone of the new building, as mentioned by B. Mark Evers, the director of UK Markey Center, is “to double our current clinical outpatient space and still allow room for growth.” The development will see the consolidation of various oncology departments under one roof. These include the chemotherapy, radiation and oncology units, along with a pharmacy. The building is also designed to accommodate dining, retail and meditation spaces.
Turning Patient Experience Around
In this promising initiative, the patients aren’t forgotten. Erica Radhakrishnan, a cancer survivor and member of the Markey Cancer Center Patient Advisory Group, vocally expressed her enthusiasm for this project. She expressed, “All of these enhanced features will save patients’ time, energy and resources so that they can focus on what’s important: healing.”
Allocations Driven by Increased Patient Volume
The initiative to construct this monumental building comes as a response to the drastic increase in patient visits to the Markey Center over the past decade. Reports suggest a whopping 57% increase, with more than 120,000 patient visits in 2021 alone.
Improving Traffic Flow for Convenience
Mindful of the practicality of its location, the new building’s entrance will be located on Elizabeth St. to ensure a smooth flow of traffic and alleviate congestion on Limestone and Nicholasville Road.
A Timely Effort
While the project’s completion is aimed for the next 3 years, it is worth noting the profound impact this grand medical center will have on the lives of patients. As the construction of the building makes progress, so grows the hope for all those needing immediate and unparalleled medical care.