Home > Media & Press Releases > Press Releases > UMC Completes First Phase of Tower Construction

Monday, December 05, 2005

UMC Completes First Phase of Tower Construction

University Medical Center will mark the culmination of the first phase of construction of its new five-story Northeast Tower on Friday, Dec. 9 at 10:30 a.m. with a Topping Off Ceremony. The ceremony will include local dignitaries signing the last steel beam needed for the framework. The beam will then be hoisted into place.

The new tower will replace buildings from the 1930s and 1940s and include an expansion of Nevada’s only burn care center. The construction of the hospital tower marks the final phase of the hospital’s master facilities plan aimed at improving the infrastructure of the county-owned hospital. Previous phases included the construction of a new Ambulatory Surgery Center and a new Adult Emergency Center.

Newer facilities and the addition of 56 private beds will enable UMC to attract a more diverse payor mix, decreasing the need for financial assistance from the county.

The new tower will connect to the Adult Emergency Center and the hospital’s main entrance will be located off of West Charleston Boulevard and Shadow Lane. The ground floor of the new tower will be double in height to create a more open atmosphere.

The main lobby is designed to easily direct patients and visitors to various parts of the hospital including the Admitting office and Cafeteria. A ‘mall’ concept was implemented for the cafeteria, allowing outside dining.

The outpatient pharmacy will also be located on the ground floor and will increase in size to better serve the rising patient volume.

The south end of the second floor will be dedicated to a state-of-the-art laboratory while the north end will house an integrated unit consisting of Burn Care, Wound Care, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

UMC is receiving $219,000 from the Lions Club to assist with the expansion of the Burn Care Center, which will include 24 beds. The Lions Club was instrumental in the opening of the burn center in 1968.

The top two floors will consist of 56 private rooms for medical and surgical patients.

The $57 million expansion is expected to be completed in 2007.

UMC is the only public, non-profit hospital in Clark County and operates the state’s only Burn Care Center and Level I Trauma Center as well as several Quick Care Centers. UMC is affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine and serves as the state's major clinical campus. Through its affiliation with the School of Medicine, residency programs in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, family practice, general surgery and pediatrics are offered at UMC. Since 1931, UMC has been providing comprehensive medical care to all in its role as the community’s safety net provider.

###


Editor’s Note: Reporters wishing access to the construction site must wear closed-toed shoes. UMC will provide hard hats. The ceremony will take place in the parking lot located across from the Trauma Center.

Contact Information:
Cheryl Persinger , Public Relations Manager
(702) 383-2090
Cheryl.Persinger@umcsn.com
University Medical Center
1800 West Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89102