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<\/a><\/p>\nDr. Ron Place, regional president and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, said the connection was always a hope and ended up fitting in the project\u2019s $245 million budget, which also includes the new Pavilion 2 building for gastroenterology at Avera on Louise.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of our specialty OB, maternal fetal medicine and high-risk OB and subspecialty pediatricians are in Plaza One, so this skywalk will be a connection between high-risk OB, inpatient pediatrics and the NICU, so it all blends together,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The new tower itself is designed to complement the existing architecture on the campus, while creating a highly visible \u201cfront door\u201d for Avera McKennan easily seen off of Cliff Avenue.<\/p>\n
Inside, the lobby is surrounded by glass similar to Avera Specialty Hospital and the Avera Prairie Center.<\/p>\n \u201cWe like the tall ceilings. We like the light,\u201d Place said. \u201cLand and sky is the theme here.\u201d<\/p>\n The layout of the tower is:<\/p>\n Fourth level: Neonatal intensive care. Inside the lobby, the Presentation and Benedictine sisters will have a heritage wall, reflecting how caring for women and children was core to the mission that brought them to Dakota Territory from Europe.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mission of our health system has stayed the same \u2014 how we take care of women and children has changed, but the mission will continue to be how do we take care of women and children and those that love them,\u201d Place said. \u201cThat\u2019s the foundation of the American family, and it all comes together in this project.\u201d<\/p>\n Design features are chosen intentionally to support the needs of patients, he added.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ll also see a covered entrance at the lobby level from the south parking, so we\u2019ll have dedicated parking and the ability to get into the building that way,\u201d Place said. \u201cThe top of the garage is our helipad, so for moms in distress we can take care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n Oversized labor and delivery and postpartum rooms are designed with extra storage and subtle technology, including lighting that can be concealed for more serenity.<\/p>\n There also are two low-risk birthing suites, reflecting a growing number of families who choose that approach.<\/p>\n \u201cAll beds are extra-wide because kids like to crawl in bed with mom and the new baby, so we have enormous beds in labor and delivery and postpartum to encourage that to happen,\u201d Place said. \u201cThe whole goal of health care is to provide all the technology and tools and everything you need when you need it but not have it scare people by being present all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n The NICU, which serves the entire Avera system, will continue its current design as rooms are added but bring in more capacity for twins and triplets because the system is seeing more multiple births and the goal is to room them together when possible.<\/p>\n The system is seeing growing demand for pediatric care and has gained market share, Place added.<\/p>\n \u201cOur roots are in women and children\u2019s, and the ability to continue to perform our mission is the most important thing,\u201d he said. \u201cThe fact that it\u2019s drawn market share implies to us we\u2019re doing it in a way that resonates with people.\u201d<\/p>\n There also will be some unique amenities in the new tower.<\/p>\n A two-story children\u2019s play area dubbed \u201cthe treehouse\u201d will include climbing and soft-play features along with stairs that change color when used. It\u2019s available to both patients and visiting children and will be complemented by activity rooms designed for different ages.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the exact opposite of a hospital,\u201d Place said. \u201cA fun play area, whimsical, and it\u2019s specifically designed so we don\u2019t have to tell children \u2018no, don\u2019t do that.’\u201d<\/p>\n The postpartum level also connects to a large patio for new moms to spend time outdoors.<\/p>\n Many of the amenities are supported by a broader $50 million Avera Foundation fundraising campaign, and while the target hasn\u2019t been hit yet, \u201cwe\u2019ve had a lot of success in the community,\u201d Place said.<\/p>\n The new tower broke ground last October following the demolition of the old Plaza 3. It\u2019s on track to open in early 2027.<\/p>\n In the meantime, several services that were located in the old building have been moved, along with other changes on the main campus.<\/p>\n The new Plaza 3 is the former Orthopedic Institute building near 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue. It\u2019s now home to administration and is being converted to house transplant, nephrology and pulmonology. Eventually, administration will move to the lobby level of the new tower, and the Plaza 3 space will be backfilled with clinical uses.<\/p>\n In total, Avera McKennan will gain about 150 beds, bringing its authorized level from 650 to 800.<\/p>\n It can\u2019t happen soon enough because \u201cwe\u2019re full every day,\u201d Place said.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why former administrative space within the hospital already has been converted to 49 in-patient beds.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nThird level: Pediatric hospital care and pediatric intensive care.
\nSecond level: Shell space for future growth in surgery.
\nFirst level: Postpartum care.
\nGround level: Labor, delivery and antepartum.
\nLobby level: Gathering and education space.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n