The project includes a 450,000 square foot addition in the form of a tower. (Rendering courtesy of Methodist Healthcare)
There was a big celebration this morning at Methodist University Hospital to announce the name of the hospital’s new tower, The Gary Shorb Tower, after Methodist Healthcare’s longtime CEO Gary Shorb. Shorb led the hospital system from 2001 to 2016.
During the celebration, Methodist leaders, associates and physicians along with the Turner construction crew, signed the beam marking the project’s halfway point in construction on the new tower.
“We are committed to the Midtown Medical District, and we are energized by our quest to put patients first in everything we do – from patient access, to patient experience to patient care, MLH is committed to providing high quality care to every patient who enters our doors.” said Michael Ugwueke, President and CEO for Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. “This new tower will elevate care for Memphis and the Mid-South.”
Methodist’s partners for building the new tower include architect HKS out of Dallas, Texas, as the lead design architect, along with Self-Tucker Architects and Archimania, both of Memphis, who have played a vital role in designing the new tower. Allen & Hoshall, located in Memphis is in charge of structural and civil engineering. Turner Construction, Memphis, is overseeing the construction of the $275 million tower, one of the largest transformation projects in the history of the Memphis Medical District.
“It is extremely gratifying to be a part of a project that will have such an enormous positive impact on a community,” said Kyle Reaves,
Construction Executive, Turner Construction. “From a building standpoint, we’ll have the opportunity to install a couple of amazing features such as a unitized curtain wall glass system that includes a dynamic glass system which changes shade in response to sunlight to help with energy efficiency. We will also be including two green roof areas which help create a calmer healing environment.”
The project includes a 450,000 square foot addition in the form of a tower, which will create room to upgrade services within the hospital, as well as provide state-of-the-art medical technology. Departments from across six blocks will be consolidated to increase efficiency for medical staff and caregivers while improving the healthcare experience for patients, family and visitors.
Highlights of the $275 million master campus plan include:
• Consolidation of all transplant services into a two-floor inpatient/outpatient comprehensive Transplant Institute.
• Combining the West Cancer Center location on Union Avenue with hospital-based inpatient and surgical services, creating one comprehensive cancer center.
• State-of-the-art patient tower featuring larger private rooms.
• Consolidating outpatient care in the new tower, making these services easily accessible from the newly constructed parking plaza.
• Newly constructed parking plaza provides 700 parking spaces for safe access directly into the new patient tower.
• Demolition of the Crews Wing will allow space for two gardens which will provide greenspace and a healing environment for patients and families.
As the major academic campus and primary teaching hospital of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist University Hospital trains the next generation of medical professionals and brings robust research and innovative treatment options to local patients. Much of the knowledge gained is implemented in other hospitals within the Methodist system.
Methodist earned a spot on the 2017 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For and for the sixth consecutive year Methodist has been named the best hospital in Memphis by U.S. News and World Report.
The new tower will be open in the Spring of 2019. For the latest construction updates and to watch the construction live feed, visit methodisthealth.org/muhconstruction.
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