Parkland Hospital Moody Center for Breast Health New Clinic Brings Quality Care and Dignity to a Vulnerable Population

The Challenge

Parkland Health & Hospital System is responsible for treating 20 percent of Dallas County’s breast cancer patients, many from underserved communities. The county hospital’s previous breast health facilities were small and largely inaccessible. With cramped and functionally challenging spaces spread across 10 separate locations, staff and patients experienced stress about access to care. To bring urgently needed improvements, Parkland envisioned a comprehensive new facility, made possible through $40 million in fundraising.

The Design Solution

The new Moody Center for Breast Health, which opened in February 2021, is the hallmark clinic in the new Moody Outpatient Center building on Parkland’s main campus, conveniently served by public transportation including a DART station.  HKS created a state-of-the art facility where medical and surgical oncology, plastic surgery, imaging and physical therapy converge. Designed to make the patient journey more accessible and humane, the Center for Breast Health includes multiple exam rooms, on-stage/off-stage circulation, and dedicated locker spaces for individuals’ belongings.

Privacy and comfort are major priorities for the patient areas of the clinic. Separate smaller, more private waiting areas as well as calming interior design elements all contribute to a comforting experience for individuals and families. The center also provides dedicated staff space, where nurses, doctors and other staff can decompress and seek respite. Showcasing the possibilities of clinical collaboration while also emphasizing patient convenience and ease of access, the design includes teaming rooms where clinicians from different departments can consult on patient care.

The Design Impact

The new Moody Center for Breast Health is equipped to handle triple the number of patients it currently serves. The clinic’s design focuses on enhancing dignity, ensuring that vulnerable patients have access to the care they need as well as the right providers. And the advanced facility supports the latest treatments, improving health equity in Dallas by providing for Parkland’s patients who are generally disadvantaged, uninsured or underinsured.