The new Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center will begin welcoming patients on Monday, March 6. The 377,000-square-foot facility, estimated at $276 million, will house all outpatient cancer treatment services in one location with the center’s team of medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers and others working together in one shared space. The clinic has 126 exam rooms and 98 treatment rooms.

The new building, designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. and Stantec Architecture, is organized by cancer type, allowing patients to have all of their appointments in one area where clinical caregivers come to the patient. Reception areas are filled with light, infusion rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and a skylight allows natural light into the lower level where patients will receive radiation and imaging services. In addition, there’s a 350-foot-long canopy at the building’s entrance.

The new building also includes an open first level featuring a large laboratory to help avoid long waits for blood testing; an outpatient pharmacy; a retail store stocked with items to meet cancer patients’ needs; and a café that accommodates special diets.

The clinic also offers genetics and genomics testing; six linear accelerators and a Gamma Knife suite; on-site diagnostic imaging; and a dedicated area for phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials, with a special emphasis on supporting phase 1 trials.

Support services include a resource center where patients and families can access printed and online cancer information; art and music therapy spaces; a boutique where patients with chemotherapy-associated hair loss can receive free wigs, caps and scarves; a wellness center for guided imagery, facials and other aesthetic services; and a private prosthetics fitting area. The clinic also offers the 4th Angel Mentoring Program, which provides patients with free, confidential, one-on-one advice and support from a trained volunteer and cancer survivor, and a spiritual area for prayer or meditation.

Led by Turner Construction, 2,000 construction employees logged more than 1,000,000 hours on the project. During construction, a special recognition wall was installed for workers to place ribbons inscribed with the names of loved ones affected by cancer. This wall will be preserved as a permanent art piece in the new building.