Methodist begins construction on University Hospital master campus plan

On Wednesday Methodist University Hospital broke ground on its $280 million master campus plan at the corner of Eastmoreland and Bellevue in the Medical District. The modernization project, one of the largest transformation projects in the area, should be completed by early 2019.
 
“Our master campus plan will be a catalyst for transforming health care for patients in Memphis, the Mid-South and beyond,” said Michael Ugwueke, COO and president for Methodist Healthcare. “The new tower will be designed to provide significant improvement in the patient care experience by enhancing flow and efficiency. The centralization of transplant services and the opening a new cancer center will continue to advance our mission of providing high-quality healthcare to all patients.”
 
The project will add a tower with 440,000 additional square feet over the hospital’s existing Emergency Department, and it will create room to upgrade services within the hospital and provide state-of-the-art medical technology. The hospital’s oncology, transplant and outpatient programs will be consolidated into a new centralized area that will increase efficiency for medical staff and caregivers while improving the healthcare experience for patients, family and visitors.
 
All of Methodist’s transplant services will be consolidated into a two-floor inpatient/outpatient comprehensive Transplant Institute. Methodist’s transplant department ranks on the top 10 in the nation for volume. An anonymous monetary gift to the hospital last year will be used for research focused on further improving outcomes for transplant patients and elevating the patient-and family-centered care experience.
 
The West Cancer Center location on Union Avenue will be combined with hospital-based inpatient and surgical services, creating a comprehensive cancer center.
 
The tower will feature large private patient rooms and is expected to enhance efficiency for physicians and nurses. Outpatient care will also be consolidated, making services easily accessible from a newly constructed 700-space parking plaza. The demolition of the Crews Wing area will create space for two new gardens to provide greenspace and a healing environment for patients and families.
 
“Methodist is making an investment in state-of-the-art technology that will elevate health care for Mid-Southerners and the Mid-South.” said Methodist Healthcare CEO Jeff Liebman. “By providing the most advanced technology, we are assisting physicians and surgeons in their drive to provide the best level of care for their patients.”