Designing a national benchmark for comprehensive women’s health care

Aurora Health Care
Aurora Women's Pavilion

West Allis, Wisconsin

Creating a holistic approach to women’s health focusing on healing women’s minds, bodies and spirits was an essential goal for the team at the Aurora Women’s Pavilion. A true women’s health care center would have to offer special experiences for the patients, families, staff and physicians in order to transform the traditional care delivery model. The center houses obstetrical and surgical services, women's imaging, cancer services, cardiac awareness/prevention program, behavioral health as well as integrative therapies such as acupuncture, massage and biofeedback. Vertically integrated offices for specialty and subspecialty physicians create both an efficient work environment for physicians and improved care integration and coordination through trusted colleague referrals.

Extensive focus group data formed the basis of a vision workshop, inspiring the Kahler Slater design team as they worked closely with the client’s team of staff and physicians to design a new concept of delivering women's health care in a nurturing, collaborative way, while creating new protocols to preserve the dignity of guests. From the moment guests arrive at the Aurora Women's Pavilion, they know that this is going to be a different health care experience. Borrowing from the hospitality industry, valet parking, a healing garden, water features, fireplaces, medical retail, a café with outdoor patio dining and room service all help to create a positive first impression.

Since opening Aurora Women’s Pavilion has hosted thousands of clinicians from all over the world who are seeking to benchmark this uniquely successful program. Perhaps the most telling measure of success for the Aurora Women's Pavilion is their women's services transformation from last to first choice in their marketplace.

Powerful Results

“The team has played an integral role in making our dream, the Aurora Women’s Pavilion, a reality. The team helped us to identify a clear vision for this project and has worked to maintain this vision throughout the design process.”

Claudette Hamm, RN, MHSA, Former Regional Director, Women’s Health, Aurora Healthcare