Mesa, AZ

Banner Children’s at Desert, Blood and Cancer Center

Child-Centered, Streamlined Cancer Care

The Banner Children’s Blood and Cancer Center at Banner Desert Medical Center brings together previously dispersed pediatric hematology oncology services into a cohesive, child-centered environment. Made possible by a grant from the James M. Cox Foundation, the new center streamlines and enhances the delivery of care for children and young adults as they battle blood disorders or cancer. 

By consolidating services under one roof, the new center minimizes the need for families to navigate multiple locations during treatment and follow-up care, significantly reducing anxiety during critical treatment periods. The center further alleviates stress by providing children therapeutic environments for play during lengthy treatment waiting periods. In addition to an interactive play space in the center’s waiting area and TVs and video games in the infusion rooms, the center is strategically connected to Banner Desert Medical Center’s other non-procedure pediatric zones—Sophie’s Place, the Forever Young Zone, and the Big Outside—which were also designed by Cuningham.

Client: Banner Health

Market: Healthcare

Size: 6,700 Square Feet

Scope: Renovation

Services: Architecture, Interior Design

Delivery Method: Construction Manager at Risk

Key Project Contacts:

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Sophies Place, Banner Desert
Easily accessed from the new Blood and Cancer Center, Sophie’s Place is a pediatric music therapy space. With a recording studio, listening area, and practice areas, music therapists provide children group and private music-therapy sessions. 
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Big Outside
Featuring a mini-golf course, playground, basketball court, and more, the Big Outside gives children and parents an engaging area for respite and relaxation.
Banner Health Children's Blood Transfusion

The center’s state-of-the-art medical facilities include four infusion bays, two private infusion rooms, and dedicated spaces for wrap-around services like psychosocial support and integrative therapies. Additionally, four of the eight exam rooms are flex spaces, and can be transitioned to infusion rooms if extra capacity is needed. These features ensure that every aspect of the treatment and recovery process is delivered in a coordinated, compassionate manner. 

In addition to improving patient care, the design of the center enhances operational efficiency. By eliminating the need for staff to move between separate locations, healthcare providers can dedicate more time to direct patient care, while also reducing the duplication of staffing and resources.

As the first comprehensive pediatric oncology clinic in Phoenix’s East Valley, the Banner Children’s Blood and Cancer Center sets a new standard for pediatric cancer care, offering both convenience and exceptional support for families throughout the region.