'A lifetime memory': Construction workers reflect on building UChicago Medicine's new cancer pavilion

Hundreds of people are helping to build the new AbbVie Foundation Cancer Pavilion at the University of Chicago Medicine. The 575,000-square-foot space is Illinois’ first and only freestanding facility dedicated to cancer care.

The project, set to open in April 2027, has personal meaning for many employees at Turner Construction, the building's general contractor.

Construction crew members Robert Moore, Jesus Ambriz, Maggie Kirby and Nikki O'Connell spoke about their roles on the job site and what the pavilion means to them.

Robert Moore, carpenter foreman

Creating safe spaces: A part of the safety team, Moore ensures all aspects of the construction site are secure for workers. That includes building ramps, temporary doors, hole coverings and handrails, or putting up rails and fall restraints if an area of concern is found.

Not his first hospital: During his 11-year career as a union carpenter, Moore has helped build other Chicagoland hospitals. He has also worked on construction projects at Soldier Field and Willis Tower.

Personal project: Moore has two aunts who have faced breast cancer, including one who didn’t survive the disease, making the project deeply meaningful to him. “I really want this cancer pavilion to have an impact, so other people aren’t affected by cancer like my family was,” he said.

Off the clock: Moore often works seven days a week at the construction site, but in his off hours, he’s behind the grill holding barbecue competitions with his brother. He also loves to play with his blue brindle Staffordshire terrier, Prince P-Ye (“P-Ye” means “feet” in Moore’s Haitian Creole heritage, a nod to the dog’s big paws).

Jesus Ambriz, quality assistance/quality control engineer

Picture-perfect results: Ambriz’s main responsibility is to make sure the cancer pavilion’s construction matches the contract drawings and meets quality standards. “I’m looking at the entire picture, but I’m also looking at the fine print,” he said.

Team player: While earning his construction management degree, Ambriz was an offensive lineman on the University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic’s football team. He is the first person in his family to go to college.

Pride in the pavilion: Ambriz described the experience of building the cancer pavilion as “a lifetime memory” that he’ll carry long after the April 2027 opening. “I take pride in quality, accountability and making sure that we deliver the perfect product,” he said.

Avid reader: Books on resilience and personal growth are among his favorites, including “Meditations” by the philosopher Marcus Aurelius. “It correlates to the world of construction, because even after you do all the planning and schematics, you’re always going to encounter problems you don’t expect,” Ambriz said.

Nikki O'Connell, senior project engineer

Strong foundation: O’Connell oversees the coordination of critical elements taking shape inside the pavilion. This includes managing the information flow for elevators, security, low voltage systems, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection. “We make the building’s interior work,” she said.

Family witness: O’Connell’s father-in-law is a former UChicago Medicine cancer patient, and he watched the construction begin from his hospital window. “During his last few chemo rounds, he’d text me and say, 'I see you have the foundation in, that’s great!'" she said. He has been in remission ever since.

An ’ACE’ student: While attending Morgan Park High School in Chicago, O’Connell was in the ACE Mentor Program (architecture, construction, engineering), where students design their own conceptual project. The experience was so instrumental in her career path that she’s now an executive board member. One of her mentees, Lauren De La Rosa, also now works on the pavilion as a project manager for design and construction.

For grandma: O’Connell dedicates her work to her late grandmother, Frances Leo, who encouraged her to follow her passion in construction.

Maggie Kirby, assistant engineer

Big first job: The pavilion is her first major project since graduating from the University of Michigan in May 2024 with a civil engineering degree. A core part of her role: collaborating with the pavilion's field team, architects and engineers if there are any issues with the architectural drawings or on site.

Living the dream: As a child, Kirby would take the train from Buffalo Grove to Chicago and marvel at the beautiful buildings. “The reason I wanted to be an engineer was to contribute to buildings that would have an impact, like this cancer pavilion,” she said. “It’s really rewarding to know that once it’s complete, it will have a meaningful impact on the community.”

Girl power: Although women are a minority in the engineering field, Kirby encourages women to explore the career path. “Women are very valued in this industry,” she said.

Supportive sisterhood: Last year, Kirby and a few women Turner Construction coworkers volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Women Build and helped waterproof a Chicago woman’s home. To meet the $500 fundraising goal needed to participate, Maggie sold Krispy Kreme doughnuts at the cancer pavilion job site and quickly exceeded her fundraising goal.