The potential for advances in cancer research and treatment led the University of Nebraska Board of Regents to move toward a massive coordination of all cancer research activities within the Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the UNMC campus in Omaha.
Named for its major donators (the late Fred Buffett was a first cousin of noted Omaha investor Warren Buffett), the cancer center is a fully integrated environment to bringing patients, clinicians, and researchers closer, to speed treatment from laboratory to bedside.
Designed by HDR, the $323-million, 615,000-sq. ft. center (opened in 2017) is the largest project in the university’s history and the largest public/private partnership in the history of Nebraska. Funding included $50 million from the state, $35 million from the City of Omaha, $5 million from Douglas County and the balance from private contributions. It will draw patients from western Iowa, eastern South Dakota, northeastern Kansas, and northwestern Missouri in addition to Nebraska.
The L-shaped building is composed of two towers: the Suzanne and Walter Scott Research Tower, housing the 10-story, 98-lab cancer research facility, and the eight-story, 108-bed C.L. Werner Cancer Hospital inpatient treatment center. For the patient’s respite and reflection, the center also includes the spectacular Chihuly Sanctuary art installation as part of its healing arts program.
