Elevating the Cancer Care Journey: UVA Health’s Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center Reimagined

Wilmot Sanz is proud to share a behind-the-scenes look at our multi-year collaboration with the University of Virginia Health System to renovate and reimagine the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. With the first phase of this highly complex renovation now complete and open to patients, the newly transformed environment reflects a careful balance of operational precision, evidence-based planning, and an unwavering commitment to patient experience.

A Next-Generation Infusion Suite That Prioritizes Choice, Dignity, and Healing

At the heart of the Phase 1 renovation is a new infusion suite featuring 54 infusion stations designed to support both privacy and community. To thoughtfully scale down the institutional nature of the facility, the design team developed a “patient neighborhood” system—a layout that organizes treatment areas into distinct zones with a mix of open and enclosed spaces.

“This approach gives patients options for how they prefer to experience their healing process each day—both private rooms and areas to support group socialization,”

— Andrew Bowers, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, cLSGB, Project Manager, Wilmot Sanz

Each zone promotes autonomy and comfort, accommodating a wide spectrum of patient preferences, clinical needs, and emotional states.

Adjacent to the infusion suite, a new USP 800-compliant pharmacy with a substantial investigational drug component supports both standard and research-based care protocols. The integration of investigational pharmacy services into the main cancer center reflects UVA Health’s commitment to academic innovation and precision medicine.

LEAN-Driven Design Rooted in Collaboration

To inform every aspect of the layout and functionality, the Wilmot Sanz team led a robust, multidisciplinary LEAN process planning series. Through a sequence of experience mapping, flow analysis, and adjacency studies, clinicians, pharmacists, patients, and administrative leaders were engaged to ensure the design aligned with UVA Health’s operational goals and patient-centered mission.

The result is a layout that minimizes travel distances for staff, reduces bottlenecks in patient flow, and enhances sightlines and communication across clinical teams—all while placing the patient at the center of the experience.

Phased Transformation Across the UVA Cancer Care Ecosystem

The newly opened 30,000 SF first phase is just one component of a broader, multi-phased renovation effort spanning the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center and surrounding UVA Health facilities.

Additional milestones include:

• A new cantilevered communicating stair within the existing main lobby that creates a symbolic and literal connection between the first and second floors. This striking feature isn’t just architectural—it’s experiential. It empowers patients, encouraging physical movement and offering a sense of control and accomplishment as they navigate the center.
• The upcoming 20,000 SF UVA Comprehensive Breast Care Center, consolidating three previously separate clinics into a unified, multidisciplinary destination. Slated for completion in late 2020, the new center will streamline access to screenings, diagnostics, consultations, and treatments—all under one roof.

This project exemplifies Wilmot Sanz’s expertise in planning and delivering major renovations within active, high-acuity environments. Working around complex phasing, infrastructure constraints, and evolving care models, our team helped UVA Health implement a vision that supports not just better clinical outcomes, but also a more humane, empowering, and personalized healing experience for every patient who walks through the door.