OKLAHOMA CITY- More than 100 physicians specializing in pediatric medicine will begin treating patients and visiting with families Tuesday morning.

Beginning Friday, physicians moved their practices and 2,040 boxes of medical records into a state-of-the-art, 14-story medical office building on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus.

The OU Children’s Physicians Building is the largest building constructed in Oklahoma City in 25 years, and is the first freestanding, pediatric multi-specialty medical office building in the state, said Dean Gandy, executive director of the University Hospitals Authority and Trust.

“The completion of this building marks another milestone to advance health care in Oklahoma,” said Joseph Ferretti, senior vice president and provost of OUHSC.

“This is a momentous occasion that brings a group of physicians dedicated to children to one place,” said Terrence Stull, chair of the OU College of Medicine department of pediatrics.

The $59,263,000 building houses physicians with specialities focusing on children’s health issues including cancer, diabetes and pediatrics, according to a fact sheet provided by OU Children’s Physicians.

M. Dewayne Andrews, OU College of Medicine executive dean, said the new facility is incredible compared to the “maze” of buildings which formerly housed children’s clinics and the children’s hospital.

“This is a special building, this is a special day and a special thing for the children of Oklahoma,” Andrews said.

In the past, business was conducted in three “impossible” buildings with little parking and elevators that did not connect throughout the building, said Kenneth Copeland, OU Children’s Physicians diabetes specialist.

The new building promotes a family-friendly atmosphere and the $17,167,000 parking garage offers more than 900 parking spots in close proximity to elevators, Copeland said.

“We are thrilled about the ease of access for patients,” Copeland said. “Coming to the doctor’s office should bring relief, not additional challenges.”

The building features bright yellow walls, funky furniture, craft areas for children and wireless internet for patient and family use.

“A building is just a building. It takes the people and programs to make it, and I’m very proud of the people and programs here,” Andrews said.

A six-story atrium is the second phase of the project and expected to be completed in a few months, said Jorge Charneco, a designer with Miles Associates. The atrium will feature significant pieces of artwork and serve as a front door to the hospital.

“We wanted something dynamic and fun for the hospital,” Charneco said.

The third phase of the project will begin about six months after the atrium’s completion and feature a $14,246,000 education and conference center for use by the entire OUHSC campus, Gandy said.