Hospital renovation aims to improve care

Construction will be done in stages and will be complete in 2020.

By Ettie Berneking

Published Sept. 18, 2007

A $240-million project will provide University Hospital with updated facilities aimed at improving the patient and faculty experience, University Hospital and Clinics spokesman Jeffrey Hoelscher said.

University Hospital used to be a "state-of-the-art facility," but is in need of some revamping, Hoelscher said. The hospital, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, has been in use since 1956.

"There's a lot of work being done, but it's a must," Hoelscher said.

Construction plans for the hospital will be broken down into three stages, he said.

The first stage, expected to be finished by 2010, will add a new orthopedic institute, a surgery tower and a new parking garage for hospital staff, patients and students.

Stage two and three will complete the remodeling of the hospital by 2020, he said.

According to a UM system news release, approximately 30 acres will be cleared for construction of the new parking structure, temporary parking lots, new facilities and future campus buildings.

The University of Missouri Health Center Master Facility Plan, which is expected to be a 15-year plan, began earlier this year, spokesman Matt Splett said.

Splett said Children's Hospital, located near the top of University Hospital, would be renovated to include private patient rooms

"You're improving the level of care," Splett said. "It's our responsibility to provide better care for the patients."

Hoelscher said work on the hospital has temporarily made entry into the hospital more difficult.

To help counteract that, the hospital began to offer a valet service at the beginning of this year.

"It has gotten really good feedback," Splett said.

Hoelsher said the valet service is expected to continue even after the renovations are finished.

Construction on the hospitals, which borders parts of the south end of the MU campus, approaches several residence areas, including Cramer and Stafford residence halls.

Jim Reed, a driver with Triple S Hauling Inc., cautions students to be aware of their surroundings when walking near construction equipment. Triple S Hauling is involved in the hospital construction.

Commercial vehicles such as dump trucks, cement mixing trucks and semi trucks have blind spots on the back right side of the vehicle and aren't as maneuverable as other vehicles, Reed said.

"They can't stop on a dime," he said.