The University of Chicago Medicine recently hosted its third Cancer Service Line Town Hall. Itbrought together leadership and stakeholders from across the health system to provide updates on the development of the Cancer Pavilion. The session highlighted progress on construction and operational planning, as well as the broader vision for patient-centered care, research integration, and cultural transformation within the cancer service line.
The pavilion is on track to open for patient care on April 3, 2027, and thus a key theme throughout the Town Hall was the critical preparation that will take place over the upcoming year. Teams across the organization are actively engaged in workflow design, simulation exercises, and “day-in-the-life” testing to ensure readiness for the transition. Leadership emphasized that successful activation depends on infrastructure readiness thorough training, communication, and cross-functional coordination. A Change Champion network of more than 150 staff members has been established to support communication and engagement across departments during this transition period.
The Town Hall also recounted the patient-centered design process that guided the development of the Cancer Pavilion. Beginning in 2020, extensive engagement with patients, families, staff, and community members informed key design decisions. These included the integration of supportive oncology services such as social work, nutrition, financial counseling, and therapy in centralized locations, as well as the expansion of urgent oncology care through a 24/7 Oncology Rapid Assessment Clinic (ORAC) designed to reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization. Additional design features include private infusion spaces, biophilic design to bring natural light to patient and staff areas, and dedicated facilities for wellness services such as teaching kitchens, music therapy, and art therapy.
A major highlight of the discussion was a comprehensive reimagining of how cancer care is delivered. The transformation of the patient experience will be anchored by a seamless, coordinated journey in which patients are supported at every step of their care. This will be accomplished through improved navigation, proactive communication, and individualized support. The Cancer Pavilion will serve as a beacon of a human-centered approach to care where clinical excellence is paired with compassion, dignity, and accessibility.
The Town Hall also highlighted the role of the Cancer Pavilion in advancing research and innovation. By co-locating clinical, research, and supportive services, the pavilion is expected to function as a “living laboratory” for cancer care delivery, enabling real-time learning, improved care coordination, and enhanced opportunities for health services research and outcomes analysis.
The Cancer Pavilion represents a transformative investment in cancer care for the institution and the communities it serves. For more information and to view the full Town Hall recording, please visit: Cancer Service Line Town Hall - April 27, 2026 on Vimeo
