AWSOM Whole Health Campus FAQs

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is a 120+-acre health care destination under development in Bentonville, Arkansas. Inspired by Alice Walton's vision for transforming health care, the campus will bring together advanced specialty care, whole-person health, and community in an environment designed to support well-being through nature, art, architecture, and evidence-based design.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, two miles east of downtown.

The name AWSOM Whole Health Campus reflects a shared vision between Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM) and Heartland Whole Health Institute to reimagine how health care is delivered and experienced. Founded by Alice Walton, these organizations share a commitment to advancing a whole-person approach to health and well-being.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is designed to bring together specialty care, whole-person health, and community in one destination. Unlike a traditional health care campus, it is being intentionally shaped by nature, art, and evidence-based design, with therapeutic landscapes, trails, gathering spaces, and advanced specialty care integrated throughout the experience. The campus is grounded in the belief that physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being are deeply connected.

The Center for Advanced Specialty Care is the first building planned for AWSOM Whole Health Campus and will serve as the anchor of the campus's initial phase. The 709,000-square-foot facility is intended to expand access to specialty and virtual care for patients across Northwest Arkansas and the broader Heartland region. It will focus on cardiac care services in affiliation with Cleveland Clinic, with initial additional specialties expected to include orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology. The facility is planned to open in 2029.

In addition to the Center for Advanced Specialty Care, plans include a world-class cancer care destination with more than 1.1 million square feet dedicated to oncology treatment. The campus will also include a new hospital with more than 250 beds and 40 operating rooms in an additional 1 million square feet. Together, these facilities will create nearly 3 million square feet dedicated to specialty care. The campus is being developed in alignment with Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, including its ongoing expansion of services and work toward a Level II Trauma Center designation. Beyond clinical facilities, the campus master plan includes therapeutic landscapes, trails, gathering spaces, gardens, and other amenities designed to support health, healing, and community connection.

Yes. Plans for AWSOM Whole Health Campus include a new hospital with more than 250 beds and 40 operating rooms as part of a broader vision that will create nearly 3 million square feet dedicated to specialty care.

Whole-person health recognizes that health is influenced by more than medical care alone. At AWSOM Whole Health Campus, this approach acknowledges the connection between physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. The campus is being designed to support health and healing through advanced specialty care alongside therapeutic landscapes, nature, art, and spaces that foster community and connection.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is designed to expand access to world-class specialty care across the Heartland. The campus will be anchored by extensive cardiac care services in affiliation with Cleveland Clinic, along with a world-class cancer care destination that will include more than 1.1 million square feet dedicated to oncology treatment. Additional specialty services are expected to include orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology, supported by virtual care designed to connect more people to advanced care closer to home. The campus will also include a new hospital with more than 250 beds and 40 operating rooms in an additional 1 million square feet, creating nearly 3 million square feet dedicated to specialty care. Developed in alignment with Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas and its continued expansion of services, AWSOM Whole Health Campus is envisioned as a regional specialty care hub that will help improve access for patients across Northwest Arkansas, rural communities, and the broader Heartland.

Nature, art, and architecture are foundational to the campus vision. The campus is being designed to create an environment that supports healing and well-being through thoughtful buildings, restorative outdoor spaces, and meaningful connections to the natural landscape.

Yes. The campus master plan includes trails, healing landscapes, gathering spaces, and other outdoor amenities designed to encourage movement, reflection, and community connection.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus was created to help address longstanding gaps in access to specialty care across Northwest Arkansas and the Heartland. AWSOM Whole Health Campus is designed to serve as a regional specialty care hub. Through virtual care and strong collaborations with local providers, the campus will help keep care local whenever possible while connecting patients to advanced specialty care when needed. The first phase will focus on cardiac care and other specialties, including orthopedics, gastroenterology, and neurology.

Yes. The Center for Advanced Specialty Care represents the first phase of a broader long-term vision for AWSOM Whole Health Campus. As the campus evolves, future development will include additional world-class specialty care facilities, including a cancer care destination and a new hospital. The master plan includes areas for future development as the campus evolves to meet the needs of patients, families, and the community.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is being developed by the Alice L. Walton Foundation in collaboration with leading organizations in health care, clinical innovation, education, design, and construction. Key partners include Mercy, which is collaborating with the Foundation to expand access to specialty care and whole-person health across the Heartland, and Cleveland Clinic, which is providing expertise for the campus's cardiac care services. Together, these partnerships are helping create a destination for world-class specialty care, whole-person health, and community in Northwest Arkansas and the broader Heartland. Visit our Partners page to learn more about the organizations contributing to the campus vision.

The initial phase of the campus, including the Center for Advanced Specialty Care, is currently planned for completion in 2029. As development progresses, additional milestones and updates will be shared.

AWSOM Whole Health Campus is being designed by nationally recognized leaders in architecture, landscape architecture, and health care planning. CannonDesign serves as lead architect, and EDSA leads landscape architecture and planning for the campus. Together, they are helping create a destination where advanced specialty care, nature, art, and community come together to support health and well-being.

Stay connected by visiting the News section of our website for the latest announcements, milestones, and project updates. You can also follow AWSOM Whole Health Campus on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for construction progress, partner news, and stories about the campus vision as it comes to life.