Archbold “Tops Out” New North Tower
Thursday, March 17, 2011
The construction of the new North Tower at Archbold Memorial Hospital
was officially “Topped Out” today on Mimosa Drive near Gordon Avenue.
A
topping out ceremony marks a major milestone in the construction
process and celebrates the placement of the highest steel beam. Archbold
employees and the construction crew signed the beam, and a crane
hoisted it into place at the event atop the steel framework.
An
American flag, along with an evergreen tree, which signifies the life
and growth of the building, were attached to the 28-foot beam.
The
eight-story, 247,000 square foot addition, thoughtfully designed to
complement the original appearance, will improve patient care
substantially by increasing operational space and workflow efficiency.
The
North Tower is a modern replacement for key hospital services that
currently reside in the older sections of the original hospital and west
wing. The Tower will include a much larger Emergency Department with
five more exam rooms, four Fast Track rooms, three critical care rooms
and two trauma rooms. A surgical department with eight operating rooms
around a clean core will provide more room to accommodate new equipment
such as imaging and monitoring devices while providing the overall space
required for providing optimal care. An Intensive Care Unit will gain
six more beds from 12 to 18, and three patient bed units, with 32 beds
per unit, will occupy the top three floors.
With the input of
architects, engineers, physicians, administrators and staff, the North
Tower was designed to optimally serve patients, staff and physicians and
will be a point of great pride for the community.
“The North
Tower is the largest single construction project in the history of our
healthcare system and the Thomasville community,” said Perry Mustian,
Archbold President and CEO. “The project is a $110 million investment in
our region and we’re proud to have worked with local companies, such as
Cives Steel and Cleaver Brooks, on this important addition for
enhancing patient care.”
The North Tower is scheduled to open in 2012.
