St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., is launching a six-year, $11.5-billion expansion program that involves at least $1.9 billion in new construction and renovation projects. Part of a plan approved in March, the program represents the hospital’s largest strategic investment since its founding in 1962, and will invlude facilities to accelerate research and treatment for children with catastrophic diseases, including work in cancer, blood disorders, and neurological and infectious diseases.

Construction-related elements at the Memphis campus also include completion of Domino’s Village, a six-story, 289,000-sq-ft family housing facility begun last year that will provide 140 units for short- and long-term stays, as well as an underground parking garage and activity spaces.

Two other current construction projects will be completed as part of the program—the Family Commons, a quality-of-life space with patient family services from school to tech support; and the Advanced Research Center, which provides laboratories focusing on immunology, neurobiology, cell and molecular biology, gene editing, metabolomics, advanced microscopy, epigenetics, genomics, immunotherapy and RNA biology. Two existing shelled floors of the Advanced Research Center will undergo fit-out as well.

Planned renovations include updating the 30-year-old, four-story Patient Care Center, which contains the hospital’s pharmacy, business offices, inpatient rooms, playrooms and learning center, and adding a perioperative unit to the 345,000-sq-ft Chili’s Care Center, a facility that combines research and clinical care settings.

Other projects slated to get underway over the next six years include new buildings for outpatient and clinical services, an administrative office building, two parking garages, expansion of the central cafeteria and kitchen and new landscaping.

Specifications and schedules for the new construction and renovation work have not been announced.

The expansion program’s other priorities include significant investments in cancer-focused research and clinical care, research into sickle cell and other nonmalignant hematological diseases and upgrades to technology and resources.

Founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, St. Jude is funded largely through private donations, allowing its specialty treatment and support services to be provided to all patients and families regardless of their ability to pay.