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April Sampson Cancer Center Joins with Nature Sacred to Create Green Space Dedicated to Nurturing Mind, Body and Spirit

September 24, 2024

The April Sampson Cancer Center has joined with nonprofit Nature Sacred to create a thoughtfully designed green space dedicated to nurturing the mind, body and spirit.

Nested on the grounds of the April Sampson Cancer Center, the Sacred Place offers a serene retreat where patients, families and employees can find respite, reflection and a sense of calm in a soothing, natural environment. Designed with input from Bryan Health, local nonprofits and others, the Sacred Place features native plantings, a labyrinth and walking path that encircles a grove of shade trees. Guests can also find community journals under the benches to share written reflections with others.

“Being in and around nature can calm and soothe the soul,” said Danielle Henricksen, director, April Sampson Cancer Center. “This Sacred Place offers our patients, families, and employees a peaceful escape where they can find comfort, strength and renewal. It’s a testament to our commitment to care for the whole person, addressing not only their physical needs but also emotional and spiritual needs.”

The April Sampson Cancer Center was conceived with a vision to unite all cancer care services under one roof, creating a seamless, supportive environment. The facility simplifies the logistics of care while placing a strong emphasis on the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of its patients. This holistic approach is further reflected in the collaboration with Nature Sacred, a nonprofit organization known for its dedication to creating green spaces that provide comfort and tranquility to those who visit.

The new Sacred Place, which is called The Garden of Hope and Healing at the April Sampson Cancer Center, is part of a broader initiative to integrate nature into the care experience. The garden is possible thanks to a gift from Paul and June Schorr in honor of their parents, Florence and Paul Schorr, Jr. and Helen and Michael Stefanisin.

“It is our wish and prayer that those who experience this Sacred Place will find solace and hope as they face the difficult challenges of life,” Paul said.

Nature Sacred has spent over 25 years partnering with healthcare institutions, communities and organizations to co-create Sacred Places, which are tranquil sanctuaries designed to restore balance and offer a peaceful respite. Many renowned institutions, including Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland have embraced this model, recognizing the profound impact these spaces can have on patient and employee well-being.

Open House and Ribbon Cutting

Construction Progress

May 2023

November 2022

Naming Announcement

June 22, 2020

Bryan Health will name its comprehensive community cancer center on the new Bryan South Campus the April Sampson Cancer Center, in honor of April Sampson, a Lincoln entrepreneur who bravely battled cancer throughout her life. A private groundbreaking and dedication event was held at the site last week to formally begin construction.

John Sampson, president of Sampson Construction and his daughter, Cori Vokoun and her husband, Dan Vokoun, both vice presidents at Sampson Construction donated nearly 29 acres of land near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln for development of the Bryan South Campus. Their wife and mother, April, lost her life after a battle with breast cancer five years ago.

“It was an honor to be approached by Bryan to consider this location for its comprehensive community cancer center and future medical services,” Cori Vokoun said. “This is a special piece of land to our family, and now it will become a special place to many families, families who are battling cancer, navigating care and finding hope. Knowing my mother’s name will be memorialized here, by Bryan Health, is very meaningful. I am certain she would be pleased we are doing something to help others facing the challenges our family did while navigating all that cancer care involves.”

Tremendous Care

“The doctors in Lincoln and Bryan Medical Center provided tremendous care for my late wife,” John Sampson said. “Yet, through her long battle we learned firsthand the many appointments, at many different locations, currently makes cancer care fragmented and hard on families. Having a cancer center where services are wrapped around a patient, eliminating much of the fragmentation that currently exists will be of great benefit to future families facing what ours did. Also, we have worked so closely with Bryan Health through the years on many projects. Being able to partner with Bryan, at this location that was so personally meaningful to April, is very gratifying.”

“This service has been something cancer patients have longed for in our region, and something we have been working towards for many years,” said Russ Gronewold, president and CEO, Bryan Health. “It is coming to fruition for two reasons. First, the tremendously talented medical staff from different specialties who are committed to patient centered care. The second is the generosity of John, Dan and Cori and many other individuals, foundations and area corporations. To receive more than $13 million in charitable gifts, almost exclusively during a global pandemic, is impressive and humbling. We are extraordinarily grateful to all that have supported this effort to date.”

Focus on Treatment and Care

In Nebraska, over 75,000 people require cancer treatment each year. A comprehensive community cancer center differs from National Cancer Institute (NCI) centers as the sole focus is on treatment and care personalized for patients. While comprehensive community cancer centers do not conduct bench research, they have access to clinical trials.

The physicians from Cancer Partners of Nebraska who will be located in the April Sampson Cancer Center are members of two prestigious major research networks: Alliance as an MD Anderson Cancer Center affiliate and ECOG-ACRIN.

“We are excited to be able to bring academic-level clinical trial options to our local community,” said Nathan Green, DO, medical oncologist at Cancer Partners of Nebraska. “These promising novel approaches to cancer care offer the most advanced treatment options for patients where opportunities were previously limited.”

The April Sampson Cancer Center will be located near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln just north of the future south beltway. The $45 million, 140,000 square foot facility is scheduled to open in 2023. The facility will offer advanced technology and treatment with a healing, comfortable environment. The approach to cancer treatment will honor the highest-quality, protocol-driven care available using a multi-disciplinary approach:

Treatment

Clinical trials and new treatment options through EGOG-ACRIN and MD Anderson
Treatment planning with evidence-based national guidelines
Rehabilitation and therapy gym
Precision genomic medicine
Specialty pharmacy

Care

Nurse navigators to guide care
Palliative care services to ease discomfort and transitions
Wig fitting and styling, breast prosthesis services and cancer-sensitive apparel
Social workers
Care monitoring and quality improvement

Counseling

Genetics
Mental health
Spiritual care
Financial
Nutrition

For more information on the April Sampson Cancer Center, visit www.bryanhealth.org/new-cancer-center.

Bryan Health Unveils Plans for $45 Million Comprehensive Community Cancer Center on its Future South Campus

October 20, 2020

On Wednesday, Bryan Health announced details for a new $45 million, 140,000 square foot comprehensive community cancer center in South Lincoln to centralize cancer care under one roof. This site will become a future south campus for Bryan.

“People in this region deserve a leading-edge, progressive cancer center that is focused and designed around the patient,” said Russ Gronewold, president and CEO, Bryan Health. “At Bryan, we reflect what the community needs. People have really stepped forward and said, ‘we want this to happen.’ Nothing could be more evident than a generous gift of land to build this facility.”

John Sampson, president of Sampson construction and his daughter, Cori Vokoun, vice president, Sampson Construction donated 28.8 acres of land near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln for the project. Their wife and mother, April, lost her life after a battle with breast cancer.

“To address the journey of health care, particularly when you have cancer, is a very soul-searching item,” said Sampson. “Right now, families who have been affected by cancer deal with fragmented care, not by the fault of any doctors or medical groups. It’s simply the reality of the situation. Getting this care under one roof is going to be so huge that generations to come will expect it as an everyday thing. It will be so refreshing and uplifting to folks beyond their imagination today.”

In Lancaster, Saline, Gage and Seward counties, nearly 9,000 people receive cancer treatment each year. Almost half of those patients seek care outside Lincoln. A comprehensive community cancer center uses the same treatment protocols as National Cancer Institute (NCI) facilities while allowing patients to receive care close to home.

The Bryan Cancer Center will be located near 40th and Rokeby Road in south Lincoln, just north of the future south beltway. The state-of-the-art facility will offer advanced technology and treatment with a healing, comfortable environment. Bryan’s approach to cancer treatment will honor the highest-quality, protocol-driven care available using a multi-disciplinary approach.

Treatment

Clinical trials and new treatment options
Treatment planning with evidence-based national guidelines
Rehabilitation and therapy gym
Genetic assessment and counseling
Specialty pharmacy

Care

Nurse navigators to guide care
Palliative care services to ease discomfort and transitions
Wig fitting and styling, breast prosthesis services and cancer-sensitive apparel
Social workers
Care monitoring and quality improvement

Counseling

Mental health
Spiritual care
Financial
Nutrition

“The medical community in Lincoln is very unique. Physicians here know each other. However, care can still be fragmented,” said Dr. Nathan Greene, oncologist, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center. “The Bryan Cancer Center demonstrates our commitment to provide state-of-the-art care for our patients. It proves that physicians are willing to come together and collaborate to do the absolute best thing for our patients. That does nothing but improve their care and experience.”

Donating the land is a way to not only give back to Bryan, but to the entire community, Vokoun said.

“I think my mom would be really proud of my dad and I for this vision and working with Bryan to make it a reality. She would have really appreciated that this facility will make it better for everyone else in her shoes because it’s a really tough road. Anything you can do to make the road a little less rough, she would be happy about that.”