CHRISTUS St. Vincent Cancer Care Center

Hartman + Majewski Design Group, GBBN Architects, Jaynes Corporation, and Owner Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center collaborated closely to complete the $80 million, 80,000 square foot CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center in July of 2025.

This collaboration delivered a state-of-the-art oncology facility in underserved northern New Mexico. The Cancer Center consolidates radiation therapy, imaging, immunotherapy, molecular medicine, ancillary care, and breast cancer care under one roof. Radiation Oncology and Imaging services feature two Linear
Accelerator (LINAC) rooms and advanced cancer treatment technologies. The facility also provides space for ancillary services, including acupuncture, massage, palliative care, financial counseling, nutrition counseling, patient support groups, and education.

The project incorporates a ‘doorless’ LINAC vault, the first of its kind in New Mexico. The design and construction eliminate the need for heavy concrete and lead doors, enabling quick staff access to patients.

The healing-centric facility features The Paseo del Curando, a natural-light-infused atrium that organizes a relaxing patient flow.

More reminiscent of a modern museum than a hospital, the facility showcases local art with breathtaking views of the stunning New Mexico landscape.

The facility immediately improves access to specialized cancer care, reducing the need for travel to distant healthcare providers. Harmonizing design excellence, advanced medical infrastructure, and a patient-first experience, the center is uniquely tailored to community needs.

Project Challenges

The CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center required the project team, GBBN, Hartman + Majewski Design Group, and Jaynes Corporation, to navigate multiple challenges that are inherent in delivering complex healthcare facilities.

One of the most significant was constructing a highly technical building on an active hospital campus without disrupting patient care. Jaynes, as CMAR, developed detailed logistics, phased utility tie-ins, and infection control measures to keep operations safe and seamless throughout construction.

The design and engineering teams faced the challenge of integrating diverse clinical services, including radiation oncology, infusion therapy, diagnostics, and palliative care, into one cohesive facility. Meeting strict regulatory standards, shielding requirements for linear accelerator (LINAC) vaults, and patient-first design goals required close coordination and specialized expertise.

Infrastructure also presented hurdles. To reduce future costs, the center was tied into the hospital’s existing utility plant, requiring a complex “utility umbilical” routed across the roof and through a newly built pedestrian bridge spanning a limited-access arroyo. The bridge itself had to be fabricated, transported, and installed in three large sections with precision and awareness of local ecological concerns and adherence to strict codes and regulations concerning new construction. Advanced MEP (mechanical, electrical, and
plumbing) systems, including chilled beam HVAC and reinforced structures for imaging equipment, further
elevated the technical demands.

Seen on the right in the above photo, Jaynes built and implemented an innovative “utility umbilical”, routed across the roof and through a newly built pedestrian bridge, to maximize long-term project efficiency. To lower long-term facility operating expenses, the new Regional Cancer Center was connected to the hospital’s existing utility plant.

These efforts unfolded under tight budget and schedule pressures, compounded by rising material costs and labor shortages. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to patient-centered design, the project team overcame these challenges to deliver a state-of-the-art regional cancer facility.

Project Success

The CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center posed unique challenges that required close coordination between Jaynes Corporation, GBBN, and Hartman + Majewski Design Group. Building a highly technical facility on an active hospital campus demanded meticulous logistics planning. As CMAR, Jaynes managed construction adjacent to patient care areas, ensuring infection control, phased utility tie-ins, and uninterrupted hospital operations.

To reduce future operating costs, the facility was tied into the hospital’s existing state-of-the-art utility plant. This required routing a “utilities umbilical” through a new pedestrian bridge spanning an arroyo. The bridge itself presented a challenge; it had to be fabricated, shipped, and installed in three large pieces within a restricted-access area.

The design team also faced the complexity of integrating radiation oncology, infusion therapy, diagnostics, and palliative care into one cohesive environment, while meeting stringent codes and shielding requirements for linear accelerator (LINAC) vaults. Advanced MEP systems, including chilled beam HVAC and reinforced structures for imaging equipment, required early conflict resolution
through BIM and design-assist workflows.

The project team also worked under tight schedule and budget pressures, complicated by recently rising material costs with the ongoing labor expertise shortage in New Mexico.

Through collaboration, open communication, and a shared commitment to patient-centered care, the team overcame these obstacles to deliver a state-of-the-art regional cancer facility.

Three Unique Project Aspects 

1. Advanced Oncology Care Construction
The facility’s technical demands required precision at every step, especially in building the doorless linear accelerator (LINAC) vault. Meeting strict radiation shielding and vibration control standards, while integrating complex medical technology, called for specialized expertise and flawless execution. This high level of precision ensured the facility met both regulatory requirements and the advanced needs of modern oncology care.

2. Seamless Operations Adjacent to an Active Hospital
Constructing next to an operating hospital presented the challenge of maintaining uninterrupted patient care. Jaynes implemented rigorous logistics planning, infection control protocols, and continuous coordination with hospital staff. Their ability to phase work carefully and manage sensitive environments allowed construction to progress without disrupting ongoing medical services—an achievement made possible by the team’s deep healthcare construction experience.

3. Innovative Utility Bridge Solution
To maximize efficiency, the center was connected to the hospital’s existing utility plant. This required routing essential services through a new pedestrian bridge that crossed a restricted arroyo. The bridge, fabricated and delivered in three large sections, demanded extraordinary planning and precision installation. This creative solution reduced not only long-term operating costs but also added lasting infrastructure value to the hospital campus. Together, these achievements highlight the project team’s expertise in delivering complex, patient- centered healthcare facilities that combine advanced technology with thoughtful, resilient design.

Owner CHRISTUS St. Vincent, Jaynes, Hartman + Majewski Design Group, and GBBN Architects were awarded an NAIOP 2025 Award of Excellence for this project.

For more details, watch the CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Cancer Center video.