Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has broken ground on the Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital. The ground breaking was done during a ceremony that brought together leaders from across the Commonwealth, the City of Boston, Dana-Farber and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the broader community. Also, the ground breaking marks the beginning of construction of the region’s only inpatient hospital dedicated exclusively to cancer care and highlights the development of health infrastructure in the US.
Size, Bed Capacity, and Design
The facility will cover an area of 450,000-square-foot. Additionally, it will feature 300 inpatient beds across ten floors. It has been designed specifically around the needs of people with cancer and their families. Moreover, it will be built to support the next generation of cancer treatment. The facility will bring together world-class clinical care, groundbreaking research, and advanced technology in a single, integrated campus.
The hospital management was joined by a number of people. They included elected officials, physicians, researchers, patients, donors, community leaders, and supporters to commemorate this historic milestone.
“Massachusetts is a global leader in cancer research and care. This title is as a result of institutions like Dana-Farber and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the extraordinary doctors, researchers and health care workers who are changing lives every day,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital represents the next chapter of that leadership, bringing cutting-edge research and world-class care together to deliver better treatments and better outcomes for patients and families. We’re proud that the future of cancer care is being built right here in Massachusetts.”
How Important is the New Facility to Dana-Farber?
Additionally, the new hospital will strengthen Dana-Farber’s clinical collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Also, it will create an interconnected campus that supports closely coordinated outpatient care, inpatient services, and scientific discovery across the Longwood Medical Area.
Furthermore, the proximity between researchers and clinicians will continue to accelerate Dana-Farber’s bench-to-bedside model. This will help translate discoveries into new treatments for patients.
“The greatest innovation is one that has the power to improve people’s lives, and this new facility will do exactly that for families here and around the world fighting cancer,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Moreover, Boston is home to some of the greatest minds finding solutions to our toughest challenges, and the Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital will lead the next generation of cancer care, bringing together exceptional clinical expertise and compassionate support for patients. We are excited to see this project move forward.”
Facilitators
Furthermore, the hospital project was made possible through a joint philanthropic commitment from Josh and Anita Bekenstein and the Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine family. Also, the transformational gift, the largest single gift in Dana-Farber’s history builds on the two families’ decades-long dedication to Dana-Farber’s mission of delivering expert, compassionate patient care while accelerating discoveries that improve outcomes for people with cancer around the world.
“Breaking ground on the Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dana-Farber and for cancer patients everywhere,” said Benjamin L. Ebert, MD, PhD, president and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “Every aspect of this hospital has been designed around the unique needs of people with cancer and their families. Additionally, we are creating an environment where exceptional patient care, scientific discovery, and clinical innovation come together to improve lives today while accelerating the breakthroughs of tomorrow.”
Furthermore, as the clinical collaboration between Dana-Farber and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center continues to grow, the new hospital will further strengthen multidisciplinary care across cancer care and related medical and surgical subspecialties while streamlining the patient experience.
“The Dana-Farber Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Collaboration reflects a shared commitment to reimagining what cancer care can be for patients and families,” said Kevin Tabb, MD, president and CEO, Beth Israel Lahey Health. “Together, we are building something that has the potential to transform cancer care across our region. Moreover, we will create new opportunities to advance research and expand access to innovative therapies. It is especially meaningful to celebrate this moment as we also begin caring for breast oncology patients through the collaboration. We shall turn that vision into reality for the people we serve.”
Strategic Location
The facility will be located on the current site of the former Joslin Diabetes Center along Brookline Avenue. Additionally, the hospital will be the centerpiece of a closely coordinated campus. It will link Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians.
Lastly, the facility has been designed to accommodate rapid advances in oncology. This will providing flexible clinical space capable of adapting to future innovations in cancer treatment and research.
Factsheet: Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital
Project Name: Lavine Bekenstein Cancer Hospital
Location: Longwood Medical Area, Boston, Massachusetts (site of the former Joslin Diabetes Center on Brookline Avenue)
Key Partners: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute & Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC)
Facility Size: 450,000 square feet across 10 floors
Capacity: 300 dedicated inpatient beds
Specialization: The region’s only hospital built exclusively for inpatient adult cancer care
Primary Donors: Historic lead gift from Josh and Anita Bekenstein and the Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine family
Timeline:
- Groundbreaking: October 2026
- Demolition & Site Prep: Spring – Fall 2026
- Construction Phase: 2026 – 2030
- Expected Opening: 2031
Core Mission: Merge advanced bench-to-bedside research, personalized clinical treatments, and compassionate patient care within a single connected campus.
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