SHIELD x The University of Kansas Health System
The University of Kansas Health System has served the greater Kansas City area for decades, providing high quality medical care as well as education and research to those studying medicine. In the past few years, the expansion of KU Med has broadened their reach of patients. With these changes the health system put a high priority on furthering the casework, storage and furniture within their facilities to become more patient forward.
Within our multi-year partnership, Shield has worked to bring acrylic solid surface furnishings and casework solutions to the health system. Solid surface provides a variety of assets that can allow the user to know the investment made in the products will last a lifetime.
Cambridge Tower
In 2014, Shield was cited to create products for Cambridge Tower A; an expansion on the main campus of the health system. Designed to be a flexible and adaptable space, furnishing with products that could grow with the facility was a top priority.
Included within this scope were reception and security desks as well as nurse stations and operating room furnishings including pass-through cabinets, documentation stations and medical storage cabinets. Through collaboration with CannonDesign and Pulse Design Group, Shield was able to bring the first of many solid surface solutions to The University of Kansas Health System.
"After the initial design meeting, [Shield] came back in a few weeks with a flushed out design. We went back and forth on a few details, but it quickly became something we could produce and install. They absolutely love the functionality.
I’ve never had that experience with another manufacturer. Typically we talk about things we need and they give us a list of options we have to pick from. To have the true flexibility of creating from scratch was a truly unique experience."
- Matt Kron, Architect at CannonDesign
Unit 56
Working to build up their postpartum and newborn care center, also known as Unit 56, KU Med sourced Shield to create products that prioritized a comfortable environment for new parents while keeping the flow of the facility in check.
With the clean, seamless build of acrylic solid surface it was easy to furnish the center in a way that brought healing to the forefront. The products created for the postpartum and newborn care center included soiled room sink units, full-height medical storage and casework.
Westwood
With other campuses outside of the Kansas City area, KU Med brought in Shield to help furnish the Westwood campus which includes imaging, laboratory medicine, internal medicine, cancer care and a pharmacy. Through partnership with Turner Construction Company and Pulse Design Group, the space was outfitted with casework and countertops that pulled together the final look of the space.
“Shield seamless solid surface solutions have proven to be an excellent choice in our pharmacies due to it’s primary characteristics of durability, cleanability and microbial resistance… Shield’s pass-throughs are an excellent choice compared to other options on the market. Shield’s casework is equally well designed and customized for our specific requirements.”
- Joanna Robinson, Pharmacy Operations Manager at The University of Kansas Health System
Indian Creek Campus
The Center for Advanced Vascular Care at the KU Indian Creek Campus is the only clinic in its region that provides comprehensive vascular care while housing multiple specialties. Working with McCown Gordon Construction and Pulse Design Group, casework and countertops were created that could look beautiful and work functionally for both staff and patients.
The scope included solid surface countertops with base drawers, keyboard trays, integral sinks and trash rollout capabilities. Shield also created custom mobile carts that included lockable casters, fully-concealed self-closing door hinges and a self-closing drawer system.
Bell Hospital
Bell hospital acts as the main hub of The University of Kansas Health System, providing inpatient and outpatient care. Looking to upgrade their furnishings, Shield was brought on with Turner Construction Company and Pulse Design Group to bring solid surface products to the hospital.
Created for the scope were documentation stations, cabinets and wall paneling that gave new life to the space with a focus on healing and comfort for patients.
Emergency Department
Opened in 2023, Shield helped outfit KU Meds newest emergency department. ED’s need furnishings that can be easily operated by staff while also taking up very little space as you never know how many individuals will be coming in or out on a daily basis. Working with this ideal Shield created nurse servers, pass-through supply cabinets and high density medical storage that could be used quickly and efficiently.
The nurse servers included self-closing doors, linen cart pass-throughs, a writing surface and an adjustable storage model. The pass-through supply cabinets and high density medical storage allow for necessities to be kept in an efficient manner and be easily accessible.
“Shield’s solid surface pass-throughs are durable, cleanable and inherently microbial resistant; most importantly, they are truly seamless… These pass-throughs fill a critical gap in the market between flimsy units that don’t get the job done and overpriced stainless-steel models that have an excessive amount of seams. Combined with their lifetime warranty and forward looking aesthetic, Shield is the ideal solution for the modern pharmacy or surgical environment.”
- Basil Sherman, Principal at Pulse Design Group
The results of Shield’s work in collaboration with The University of Kansas Health Center has proved fantastic results. As our fabrication process is streamlined it becomes easier to create standard build products as well as products customized for specific consumers. With both standard and custom builds we keep two priorities equal; aesthetics and functionality, because we believe that you should never have to let go of one for the other.