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WVU Medicine breaks ground for WVU Medicine Children’s tower; photo gallery available

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WVU Medicine breaks ground for WVU Medicine Children’s tower; photo gallery available

On June 4, seven current and former WVU Medicine Children’s patients grabbed a shovel and a hard hat to turn some dirt at a ceremonial groundbreaking for a $150-million hospital that will revolutionize the care of women and children in West Virginia and the region.

Hundreds turned out for the event, which featured these speakers:

  • Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO, WVU Medicine-West Virginia University Health System
  • J. Philip Saul, MD, executive vice president for WVU Medicine Children’s
  • Dana Holgorsen, WVU football coach and co-chair of the WVU Medicine Children’s capital campaign (read a press release about the campaign)
  • Gordon Gee, WVU president

A reception was held following the event.

View a CONNECT photo gallery with highlights from the groundbreaking.

“This is our moment,” said Dr. Saul. “We’re already the center for specialty care to high-risk mothers, premature infants, and children with life-threatening conditions through adolescent to adulthood. The need for our services is growing at such a rapid pace that the creation of this hospital is a must.”

The 155-bed, eight-story facility is scheduled to be completed in 2020. The tower will include:

  • Entry, registration, administration, and building services
  • Diagnostic imaging and a laboratory
  • Two connections to the Southeast Tower (the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute)
  • Operating rooms, cardiac catheterization, and endoscopy facilities
  • A 25-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and sedation unit
  • A 61-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
  • A 39-bed pediatric acute care unit
  • A 30-bed obstetrical unit with potential for expansion
  • A medical office building, including Pediatric subspecialty and Maternal-Fetal Medicine clinics

All of the inpatient rooms will be private, except for 11 NICU rooms for twins. The tower will also include inpatient and outpatient pharmacy facilities and a cafeteria.

“As spectacular as the building will be, it won’t compare to the miracles that will happen inside,” said Holgorsen.

The West Virginia Health Care Authority approved a Certificate of Need for the project last month.

From left to right: Larkin Coker, 8, of Morgantown; Brody Wilmoth, 10, of Morgantown; Ziler Hawkins, 6, of South Charleston; Jeff Hostetler; Tyler Yost, 10, of Fairmont; Adyson Stalder, 10, of Sardis, Ohio; Ivy Martin, 6, of Morgantown; and Reilly Albertson, 11, of Fairmont break ground for the new home of WVU Medicine Children's.