UAMS Cancer Institute Unveils New Patient Amenities

By Nate Hinkel

 Kent Westbrook, M.D., co-founder of the Cancer Institute, with Joe and Joe Ellen Ford.

The Gathering Place Café is now open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

The Gathering Place Café is now open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week.

James Suen, M.D., co-founder of the Cancer Institute, visits with gift shop manager Vickie Gill in the newly reopened Cancer Institute gift shop.

James Suen, M.D., co-founder of the Cancer Institute, visits with gift shop manager Vickie Gill in the newly reopened Cancer Institute gift shop.

Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D., addresses the crowd at the grand reopening ceremony.

Cancer Institute Director Peter Emanuel, M.D., addresses the crowd at the grand reopening ceremony.

JUNE 15, 2011 | It’s been a busy year at the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. While more than 500 supporters gathered July 30, 2010, to dedicate the institute’s new 12-story tower, construction workers were already preparing the original Pat and Willard Walker Tower for major renovation.

On June 15 — less than a year later — supporters gathered again for the unveiling of the tower’s renovated first floor.

What at one time housed the Myeloma Infusion Center, Dixon Waiting Room, front desk, chapel and gift shop has been completely re-imagined as a hub for patient education and comfort.

“How exciting it is to witness another milestone for the UAMS Cancer Institute. The Walker Tower, which has served us well for many years, can now continue serving our patients as a new-and-improved facility for long into the future,” said UAMS Chancellor Dan Rahn, M.D.

Honoring donors to the Cancer Institute’s Walker Tower was a focus of the event, which included the unveiling of the renovated space. Named for Arkansas philanthropists and longtime UAMS supporters the late Willard Walker and his wife, Pat, the Walker Tower opened as a four-story building in 1989. An additional seven floors were added in 1996.

“It’s important as we look forward to using these wonderful new services, that we also honor the people who made this original building possible,” said Peter Emanuel, M.D., Cancer Institute director. “It was their commitment, combined with the vision of Cancer Institute co-founders Dr. Kent Westbrook and Dr. James Suen, that has allowed us to become Arkansas’ leader in cancer research and care.”

The new Joe T. and Jo Ellen Ford Patient Support Pavilion gives patient education and support services its most prominent place ever in the Cancer Institute. In 2007, the Fords announced a $1 million gift to the institute’s expansion, which was the first donation to the project.

The pavilion’s wig shop provides a private area for patients to try on a variety of wigs and hats. A free wig for each patient is offered courtesy of the Cancer Institute Auxiliary. Patients, caregivers and visitors also can pick up educational materials; use the pavilion’s computers, copier and fax machine; or attend classes on topics relevant to cancer patient health and well-being.

Across from the pavilion is The Gathering Place Café, the Cancer Institute’s first-ever eating establishment.

The café is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

The space also provides a direct connection to Infusion Clinic 1 in the UAMS Outpatient Center and is home to the Auxiliary-run gift shop; the Department of Volunteer Services; a chapel; and consultation areas for services including social work and nutrition.

CDI Contractors Inc. is the general contractor for the expansion. Cromwell Architects Engineers of Little Rock and FKP Architects of Houston are the architecture/engineering firms.