Kirksville Cancer Center, Kirksville, Missouri
After acquiring a clinic in Kirksville, Mo., operator Hannibal Regional Healthcare System (Hannibal, Mo.) saw a surge in demand that prompted community discussions about unmet healthcare needs.
Those conversations identified a critical gap: Radiation oncology services in the Kirksville market had been discontinued in summer 2022, creating an undue burden on area residents, many of whom had to travel nearly 200 miles round-trip for cancer treatments. Armed with this information, Hannibal Regional Healthcare System responded by advancing plans for a new comprehensive cancer center in Kirksville.
Expected to be completed in spring 2027, the new 19,200-square-foot Kirksville Cancer Center will serve as a central hub for comprehensive oncology services for Kirksville and the greater northern Missouri region. Bringing together medical oncology, radiation oncology, and a full-service cancer clinic in one building, the center will expand access to high-quality care close to home for individuals who previously lacked convenient treatment options.
Patient-centered design
Designed by RDG Planning & Design (St. Louis), the center balances high-level clinical performance with a compassionate, human-centric environment. The experience of the space begins at the building’s entry, where a curved glass canopy welcomes patients and visitors while allowing natural light to filter into the space and providing protection from the elements.
Inside, an oversized vestibule is strategically oriented to buffer harsh winter north winds, turning 90 degrees before guiding visitors into the main waiting area. From there, a curved reception desk greets patients with warm wood tones that continue throughout the facility, reinforcing a sense of comfort and continuity.
The main waiting area is designed to feel more like a hospitality space than a traditional clinical environment. For example, 9-foot ceiling heights create a more intimate scale, while stone and other natural materials frame a donor wall and a large fireplace at the center of the space. Seating is arranged in lounge-style groupings with larger furniture pieces, offering patients and families a comfortable place to gather and relax.
Complementing the main waiting area is a private family waiting room located at an outside corner of the building and filled with natural light. Separated by French doors, this quieter space provides a more intimate setting where patients and loved ones can find moments of privacy and support during their visit.
Biophilic design in oncology settings
Biophilic elements are incorporated throughout the facility, using natural materials and nature-inspired features to create moments of comfort and respite.
In the infusion treatment areas, architectural dividers featuring vivid imagery of native plants provide both privacy and visual connection to nature while framing views to the adjacent healing garden. Earth-toned accent colors further reinforce this connection, bringing warmth and a sense of the natural environment into the clinical setting.
Positive distractions within the linear accelerator vault, including an artificial backlit window that mimics an outdoor environment, help calm patients and enhance their overall treatment experience.
Efficient workflows and future-ready design
In addition to delivering a positive patient experience, the building supports efficient workflows and close collaboration among care teams, reducing unnecessary steps for patients and providers and strengthening continuity of care. RDG partnered closely with Hannibal Regional Healthcare System to study the flow of both new and returning patients, beginning with their arrival from parking and entry into the building and progressing through to treatment areas.
These insights informed clear, intuitive pathways throughout the cancer clinic, reinforced by layered wayfinding strategies such as shifts in interior flooring materials, accent wall cues, designated rest areas, and reduced travel distances to create a more comfortable, legible patient journey.
Radiation oncology treatment areas are strategically located along the exterior of the building to support both current operational needs and future technological advancements. The spaces are designed with the infrastructure required for today’s equipment while remaining appropriately sized to allow efficient installation and eventual replacement of advanced systems, including CT and linear accelerator machines.
Kirksville Cancer Center, Kirksville, Missouri, project details
Location: Kirksville, Mo.
Target completion date: Spring 2027
Owner: Hannibal Regional Healthcare System
Total building area: 19,200 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: Not disclosed
Cost/sq. ft.: Not disclosed
Architect: RDG Planning & Design
Interior designer: RDG Planning & Design
General contractor: Murray Company
Engineer: IMEG (MEP, structural, civil)
Medical equipment planner: Hannibal Regional Healthcare System
Builder: Murray Company
Project details are provided by the design team and are not vetted by Healthcare Design.
