Dr. Daniel DeBehnke, Nebraska Medicine’s chief executive officer, said the former vice president’s visit provides the “ultimate stamp of approval” on the center. “As the former head of the Cancer Moonshot, there are few who have a better holistic view of what we need to do in the future to fight cancer,” he said in a statement.

Also Friday, the Chihuly Sanctuary at the cancer center was formally unveiled. It is described as the most comprehensive health care environment structure ever created by renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Located within the 10-story cancer center, the Chihuly Sanctuary features 10 art installations designed to provide a place of respite and reflection for patients, families and staff dealing with cancer.

Omaha philanthropists Walter Scott and his late wife, Suzanne, made the lead gift to make the sanctuary possible. Additional gifts were made by the Gail E. Davis family and Mary Jean and Hugh Williams.

The artwork is part of a Healing Arts Program at the facility that not only includes commissioned artwork by Chihuly and Jun Kaneko of Omaha but also Leslie’s Healing Garden, an outdoor, all-season garden created with support from Marshall and Mona Faith.