Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Leah M. Fitch Cancer Center

Located on the Comanche County Memorial Hospital campus in Lawton, Oklahoma, the $10.4 million, 25,843-square-foot Cancer Center was developed for outpatient cancer care services, including medical oncology, radiation oncology, and physician clinic related services.

The Cancer Center is designed to provide each cancer patient with an ideal overall experience. While the building design incorporates red brick and concrete materials found throughout the campus, the design of the front elevation, main waiting, and medical oncology treatment area are feature large spans of glass that bring in natural light and provide views toward prominent campus landscape features.

The freestanding facility includes three distinct cancer care programs as well as an enclosed corridor that connects to the hospital. Within the cancer center services are organized along a central corridor. Architectural cues —  a water feature, clerestory windows and special finishes, such as terrazzo and wood paneling —  assist patients with wayfinding.

The Radiation Oncology program includes one linear accelerator vault, a shelled second vault, one CT simulator, patient sub-waiting, and support space for clinicians and physicists. Care was taken to ensure the privacy of patients by providing separate spa like sub-waiting areas and virtually direct access to the treatment rooms. The Medical Oncology program has two private treatment rooms and 18 semi-private treatment bays with direct views toward the private enclosed healing garden and water feature. The Physician Clinic is composed of a central lab, 10 examination rooms, 6 physician offices, and other support space.

In designing this space, WHR gave special attention to the accommodation of family members and guests that accompany patients. Furniture in the waiting area provides flexible space for reading, working on laptops, and watching television. Comfortable seating is available for guests to sit by the patient’s side throughout treatment in medical oncology.  In the educational alcove current information on cancer and treatments can be accessed on computers, and a large multipurpose room, located just off of Main Street, provides space for support groups to meet after hours.