While working as a team member at Flad Architects, Michael Ford contributed to the design of the Shands Cancer Hospital, a comprehensive oncology facility conceived to transform the patient care experience.

The hospital was envisioned as a multidisciplinary care environment that brings physicians, specialists, diagnostics, and treatment services together under one roof. Rather than a fragmented clinical experience, the design supports continuity of care and creates a setting intentionally focused on the physical, emotional, and social needs of cancer patients and their families.

Beyond treatment spaces, the facility serves as a community resource. Program elements include healing gardens, patient education areas, training rooms, and conference spaces for health fairs, screenings, and cancer prevention workshops. These spaces reinforce the hospital’s role as both a center for advanced medical care and a place that supports connection, learning, and resilience.

The project reflects a commitment to human-centered healthcare design, creating an environment where clinical excellence and compassion are equally prioritized.