Blood Cancer Healing Center realizes vision of comprehensive care

Patients, physicians, wellness educators, survivors, researchers and learners are now all under the same roof where they can inspire each other daily. The addition of research and integrative health wellness services joins the building’s clinical services, which have been in operation since July 2024.

“As researchers, we are thrilled to be joining our clinicians and patients in the Blood Cancer Healing Center,” said Megan Johnstone, PhD, clinical research director in the Cancer Center’s Leukemia and Drug Development Lab (LDDL). “This will accelerate the translation of our findings to patients by making real-time decisions with cutting-edge science.”

The fourth floor of the building includes a new home for the LDDL and dedicated research spaces for industry partners and independent labs, fostering collaboration that aims to make research more efficient than ever before and bring life-saving treatments from the research bench to patients’ bedsides faster.

“This innovative space will also serve as a key factor in the recruitment of talented researchers and physicians as we continue to expand the hematological malignancies program,” added Erin Hertlein, PhD, a Cancer Center researcher and associate professor in UC’s College of Medicine.

The UC Osher Wellness Suite on the fifth floor is the only space of its kind in the region, offering personalized, hands-on well-being experiences in the John & Carrie Hayden Community Learning Kitchen, Mind-Body Spirit Wellness Studio and outdoor Rooftop Healing Garden. Community programming in the suite is scheduled to begin in March. 

In addition to being deeply integrated into cancer care and survivorship, this space also supports individuals managing chronic conditions, navigating stress, burnout or fatigue or simply looking for practical, evidence-based ways to live healthier and prevent disease.

“The UC Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen represents the future of whole-person care in Cincinnati. As the first space of its kind in the region within an academic health center, we are excited to bring together patients, survivors, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, students, and community in one place dedicated to transformative well-being,” said Sian Cotton, PhD, director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC and professor and Turner Farm Foundation Chair in the Department of Family and Community Medicine in UC’s College of Medicine.

“Evidence-based approaches, such as nutrition, the arts, nature, mindfulness and movement as medicine are integrated not only into world-class, comprehensive cancer care, but into everyday life, helping shift health care toward true well-care.”

The fourth and fifth floors are the newest additions to the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, a collaboration between the University of Cincinnati, UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The Cancer Center consists of more than 250 clinicians and researchers who aim to elevate cancer research and care standards across the Midwest region and beyond.

To learn more about the Blood Cancer Healing Center or inquire about patient care, call 513-585-UCCC. For physicians and researchers seeking additional information, visit cancer.uc.edu.

Featured photo at top of the outside of the Blood Cancer Healing Center. Photo/Andrew HIgley/UC Marketing + Brand.