Walsh Brothers Unveils New Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Imaging Center

For Release: Immediately

Press Contact:
Sarah Cotter, Marketing Manager
210 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
617-878-4864
scotter@walshbrothers.com

Boston, MA - June 2, 2009 - Walsh Brothers, Incorporated, in collaboration with architect Miller Dyer Spears, had the pleasure of participating in the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for the landmark Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) Lurie Family Imaging Center. The state-of-the-art Imaging Center is located at the Marine Industrial Park on the South Boston Waterfront, home to DFCI's Harbor Campus.

The DFCI Harbor Campus is the product of a four-year, $1 billion fundraising campaign entitled Mission Possible, the institution's master plan. Mission Possible is an initiative that focuses on advancing the frontier of cancer research while closing the gap between medical innovations made at the research bench and the patients who need them. With their research techniques growing ever more sophisticated, DFCI concluded that a pre-clinical imaging research facility was essential to the future of the Institute. With this need in mind, Walsh Brothers, Incorporated was selected to manage the extensive renovation of the former 1930's industrial warehouse into a technologically advanced research space. Mayor Menino, along with donors, future staff, and trustees attended the ceremony. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Andrew L. Kung, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Preclinical Imaging remarked, "I am absolutely thrilled with the end product. And from the reaction of all of those who have toured the facility, I can say that the feeling is universal."

The Imaging Center has dramatically expanded Dana-Farber's capacity in the area of bioimaging and features miniature versions of imaging equipment, including MRI, CT, PET, ultrasound, and bioluminescence technology. To accommodate the client's relocation needs and to bring research facilities online as quickly as possible, Walsh Brothers developed a four-phased project schedule and detailed site management plan. This allowed for phased occupancy while ensuring minimal disruption to sensitive research operations. This adaptive reuse strategy introduced state-of-the-art research and support spaces to the building, such as BL-2 laboratories, wet laboratories, MRIs, animal holding areas, cryogenic tissue preservation, materials management, and animal imaging center. The new facility has necessitated new infrastructure, including a new boiler plant and two standby emergency generators. In addition to providing a critical research component that would aid the fight against cancer, the harbor campus location frees up access for patients visiting in-patient care facilities in the congested Longwood Medical Area (LMA). Walsh Brothers is truly honored to have had the opportunity to partner with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on this critical project which may ultimately provide the key to discovering the cure. In the words of Dana-Farber President, Edward J. Benz, Jr., MD., "Work at the Lurie Family Imaging Center looks forward to the day when imaging technology becomes a standard tool for diagnosing tumors at the molecular level and guiding individualized treatment."

Walsh Brothers is a fourth-generation, family owned construction management firm headquartered in Boston. The firm, founded in 1901, has extensive experience in the healthcare and institutional markets and has worked with many of the most prestigious healthcare providers in the region. For more information, please visit http://www.walshbrothers.com