The new Sentara Brock Cancer Center began treating patients on June 1, 2020. This new patient-centered facility transforms cancer care in Hampton Roads, Virginia, by bringing together expert care teams, community organizations and holistic cancer treatment services within one location. The $93.5 million, 253,000-square-foot facility serves as the regional hub for the Sentara Cancer Network.

The building was designed by Odell Associates with the patient's health journey and customer experience as a top priority. Entering through Sentara Brock Cancer Center's main entrance, the patients, medical professionals, staff and visitors are warmly greeted and protectively sheltered by a transparent, single-pitch canopy skylight.

Manufactured by Acurlite Structural Skylights, the canopy's aluminum framing system was finished by Linetec in durable, Class I Clear Anodize. Highlighting the natural look of aluminum accentuates the cancer center's clean, contemporary appearance.

Anodize the hardest finish available for architectural aluminum products. It requires minimal maintenance, provides excellent wear and abrasion resistance, and delivers long-lasting performance that meets or exceeds the AAMA 611 industry-leading standard.

During its expected 40-year lifespan, the anodized aluminum also supports healthy indoor air quality because there are no applicable volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with this product. These qualities earned Linetec's anodize finishing for aluminum a Declare Label as Living Building Challenge™ (LBC) Red List Free. This means that Linetec's anodize finishing is in full compliance with the highest level of LBC criteria established through the International Living Future Institute. At the end of its life on the building, the finished aluminum is 100% recyclable.

The anodized aluminum frames 12 bays composing the canopy skylight's total 60-foot 7-inch span. Each bay supports two lites of Viracon's VE1-85 insulated, coated, heat-strengthened, laminated glass. The glass achieves high visible light transmittance for clear views above and natural daylight below, while managing the solar heat.

With a 1:12 pitch, Acurlite's glass and metal canopy skylight tapers from 19-feet 5-inches wide to 9-feet 6-inches. As the glazing contractor, Burgess Snyder Industries installed the system and worked closely with general contractor Whiting-Turner through the project's two-year construction.

The Sentara Brock Cancer Center brings together care team partners from Virginia Oncology Associates, Eastern Virginia Medical Group and additional community providers. The partnership includes multidisciplinary care, expanded community access to clinical trials, improved outcomes by strengthening the capacity for advanced cancer care close to home, and coordinated survivorship programs to help patients transition to life after diagnosis.

According to Sentara Healthcare, "By partnering with like-minded clinical teams and community organizations, cancer patients, survivors and their families will benefit from increased access to cancer resources and services, expanded screening, awareness and prevention efforts, treatment options, and survivorship care."

The center is named in honor of the Joan and Macon Brock family. Joan Brock is a three-time cancer survivor, a grateful patient of the Sentara Cancer Network, and a previous Sentara Healthcare board member. She is honoring her late husband, Macon Brock, and her family through this generous gift.

"I heard that dreaded phrase, 'You have cancer,' so I know how vital it is to have a comprehensive solution that treats the whole person as well as the disease," said Joan Brock. "I relied upon an advanced clinical team to get me through survivorship. Now, everyone in our community will have access to our region's community cancer partners in one location right here at home."

"I am deeply appreciative of Joan's generous spirit and dedication toward the communities we serve," said Howard P. Kern, president and CEO of Sentara Healthcare. "Together with the professionals who provide cancer care, we will advance the health of our neighbors and loved ones."

This new cancer center is a clinically advanced destination for hope and healing. Along with the Imaging Center, the Breast Center and the Radiation Oncology department, a few of the services patients can expect are:
• A calming environment that includes an outdoor Healing Garden and quiet family work stations for caregivers as they assist their loved ones at appointments
• Support services for advanced illnesses, including Sentara's first outpatient palliative care clinic in the Hampton Roads community
• Complementary alternative medicine therapies, such as massage, art and music therapy
• Silhouette Mastectomy Boutique, a retail shop for wig services, headwear and mastectomy products
• A rehabilitation gym with two certified lymphedema therapists and fitness classes led by a certified cancer exercise specialist

"Cancer has surpassed heart disease in Virginia as the leading cause of death and cancer rates are expected to increase 36% by 2030," said Carolyn Carpenter, corporate vice president of Sentara Healthcare. "It's important for us to continue to grow and enhance our ability to provide care for cancer patients right here at home. The Sentara Brock Cancer Center will strengthen our current services and serve as a catalyst for new services and care experience."