Lebanon, NH– E4H MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health recently joined its client Dartmouth-Hitchcock health system for a groundbreaking of the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care. The new 30,000sf facility will incorporate special amenities designed to increase support for patients’ and families’ physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort. The Center, located on the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) campus in Lebanon, New Hampshire, will include education spaces for regional providers and caregivers to train in palliative and hospice care.
E4H MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health designed the facility, which was approved by the Hospital Board in the Spring of 2016 and slated for completion in fall of 2017, with the goal of enhancing quality of service, privacy, and healing for both patients and their families.
“The client’s goal was to focus on the patient and family needs, while seamlessly integrating the necessary healthcare support systems. The design creates a warm, welcoming patient experience along with multiple spaces for families to gather or simply be alone,” said Dan Morris, Partner, E4H MorrisSwitzer Environments for Health. “We hope that the Jack Byrne Center will offer respite for all who need it.”
Consistent with E4H’s overall design philosophy of creating sustainable environments for health, the building will also incorporate a geothermal heating and cooling system, LED lighting technology, and high-efficiency mechanical and electrical systems. Where possible, products and finishes will be locally sourced and made from natural or recycled content.
Building features
- A one-story building of 12 single-occupancy patient bedrooms, enabling up to three family members to spend the night with their loved one. Each room has a private bathroom and balcony overlooking the woodlands of the DHMC campus.
- A flexible design that can accommodate six additional single-occupancy rooms to meet anticipated growth.
- A commercial kitchen for staff prepared patient meals and a separate kitchen and dining room for families to prepare and host meals for or with their loved ones.
- Specialty rooms for patient, family, and staff use, including: a meditation and reflection room, massage, music and art therapy rooms, a spa , a family library and reading nooks, plus a small room for exercising
- Two separate youth rooms, including a play area for small children and a teen media room.
- The Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care will also serve as an educational resource for the region, with a program developed and administered by Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Section of Palliative Care, working in collaboration with Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire and other hospice and community partners, to train end-of-life caregivers across New England.
