May 2012

Honoring the Benefactors of UK HealthCare's New Albert B. Chandler Hospital

The University of Kentucky's Albert B. Chandler Hospital's new patient care facility marks a significant milestone in UK HealthCare's ambitious mission to establish itself as one of the top academic medical centers in the country. This new facility, part of a $532 million, 550,000-square-foot expansion that positions UK HealthCare as a world-class medical facility, brings together the art and science of medicine by providing a tranquil healing environment that supports the best medical care for Kentucky and beyond.

The new building features an emergency department with a Trauma Center, Adult Emergency Center, Pediatric Emergency Center, and Express Care; 2 patient care floors focused on specialty services with 128 beds; a 1,600-space parking garage; a 305-seat auditorium; and multiple interior and exterior public spaces featuring artwork celebrating Kentucky and its people created by local artists. While the UK Chandler Hospital is a premier regional medical center concentrating on cancer, trauma, neurosciences, organ transplantation, and pediatric subspecialties, it also aims to provide a comforting and welcoming environment to its patients, staff, and visitors by incorporating elements of nature and art throughout the new pavilion.

UK HealthCare commissioned Poulin + Morris to design a comprehensive donor recognition program for all development opportunities identified throughout the new building that responded to specific fundraising needs, ultimately honoring and celebrating UK HealthCare's benefactors and their invaluable gifts. The primary focal point of this program is a 9-foot high by 40-foot wide donor recognition wall that functions as a warm and inviting backdrop for celebrating the institution's development and fundraising efforts. Individual glass panels varying in size and recognizing major benefactors are sandblasted with donor names and arranged in a seemingly rhythmic and fluid pattern on the wall. A secondary donor recognition wall, located on a continuous glass railing that runs along the concourse level and overlooks the main building lobby, recognizes the institution's lower level supporters of the building capital campaign. These names are displayed in a manner that allows for the periodic addition and updating of new names, while allowing this recognition wall to appear cohesive and complete at all times. The building's main spaces and public areas also recognize specific donors with dimensional stainless steel letters and sandblasted stainless steel panels.

Poulin + Morris has continued to work with UK HealthCare on implementing this donor recognition program throughout the UKHealthCare campus.