Gresham Smith completed the University of Alabama’s Infusion Therapy Clinic at the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama.

One of the busiest outpatient centers in the United States, The Kirklin Clinic (TKC) of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital is renowned for providing advanced, patient-centered healthcare services. Gresham Smith partnered with UAB Health System to design a new Infusion Therapy clinic as part of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Designed with family, privacy and comfort in mind, the new Infusion Therapy clinic at TKC houses 84 infusion stations that comprise private and semi-private patient stations, as well as open bays that provide a little more connectivity between patients. As Infusion Therapy often takes several hours to complete, each patient station features visitor amenities, enabling family members to be present during infusion treatments. The new clinic space also offers an abundance of natural light, with the north side of the building providing views of the downtown Birmingham skyline that offer a positive distraction.

To protect patient privacy and dignity, Infusion Therapy patients have their own waiting room. The designated waiting area exits directly to the elevator lobby so patients who may be weak or fatigued following an infusion treatment don’t have to walk through other clinic spaces to exit the building. Every design decision—from the program to the finishes—was made with the patient experience in mind.

Designed for future growth and expansion, the new Infusion Therapy clinic at TKC offers patients chemotherapy, immunotherapies, and central line care. The cutting-edge space not only consolidates UAB’s Infusion Therapy services into one convenient location on their hospital campus, but also merges pharmacy services, laboratories and patient treatment on the 5th floor of TKC, further improving the efficiency of treatment visits, and creating the optimal healing environment for patients and their families.

Design: Gresham Smith
Photography: Mason Fischer