The Banner Cardiovascular Center, located in the Biltmore area of Phoenix, is affiliated with the University of Arizona and contains the first University-based Cardiovascular ASC in the United States. The 7,500 s.f. surgery center, developed jointly by Banner and Atlas Healthcare Partners, is being helmed by cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Roderick Tung, who relocated from Chicago to lead this new endeavor. Because of Dr. Tung’s high-profile reputation, the surgery center features numerous elevated design elements that reflect the cutting-edge expertise housed within its walls. One unique element is a conference room directly adjacent to the patient waiting area—a fully glazed room with electrostatic opacity controls for adjustable privacy.

The center contains two dedicated cardiovascular ORs, eight pre/post-op bays, and a private recovery room. Because of the unique equipment requirements for cardiovascular surgery, the design and construction process required intensive coordination between the design team and the medical equipment consultant. One of the center’s two ORs contains a permanent C-arm; the other currently utilizes a mobile C-arm but is fully finished with a base prepped for permanent C-arm installation. Due to the imaging equipment required for cardiovascular procedures, FGI guidelines necessitated that the ASC be licensed as both a surgery center and an imaging center.

Initially designed in 2021, the project experienced a two-year hold, during which the scope shifted from endoscopic procedures to cardiovascular procedures. In light of this change, the team returned to the drawing board to craft the interiors of the ASC to the specifications required for this highly specialized use.