After many years of planning, anticipation, and effort, we opened the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women鈥檚 Cancers in the summer of 2023. This monumental achievement was supported by many internal and external partners who encouraged and supported us during every phase of this project.
With the efforts of nearly 250 construction workers each day at its peak and more than one million hours of work spanning three years, the Kathryn F. Kirk Center brings Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 footprint at the flagship location to more than one million square feet. Yet the significance goes beyond the physical size and architectural skill. The positive impacts will be felt throughout the Mountain West, across our country, and around the world.
To put it into perspective, the Kathryn F. Kirk Center was built with 320 tons of rebar, equivalent to the weight of a Boeing 747, and 2,323 tons of steel, comparable to the weight of 72 loaded buses. Crews literally and figurately moved a mountain to build this building. These remarkable feats associated with design and construction not only symbolize the strength and integrity of the new space, but they also reflect the people we are dedicated to serving.
Other key features of the 220,000-square foot expansion include 48 inpatient rooms, 20 exam rooms, four state of- the-art operating rooms, specialty blood and marrow transplant services, and more space for our Wellness and Integrative Health Center.
On behalf of the Huntsman Cancer Institute leadership team, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the Kirk family, construction workers, architects, valued partners, generous donors, and the full Huntsman Cancer Institute team whose instrumental roles brought the Kathryn F. Kirk Center to life. Your collective expertise and commitment to excellence characterized by professionalism and dedication have created a remarkable new physical space and fortified our mission to understand, diagnose, treat, and ultimately end cancer.
This mission guides all we do and finds a powerful expression in the Kathryn F. Kirk Center. It showcases our unwavering commitment to translating knowledge into tangible impact. The dedicated floor for breast and gynecologic cancers is a testament to our resolve to tackle specific cancer challenges head-on, while the expanded Wellness and Integrative Health Center reflects our holistic approach to patient well-being. The addition of new inpatient rooms and four operating suites enable us to advance our capabilities further and extend our reach, making a positive difference in the lives of those with cancer.
Thank you for your exceptional contributions. Your commitment to our mission and the relentless pursuit of progress is truly remarkable. It is an honor to stand alongside you.
Don Milligan, MBA
Cancer Hospital Executive Director