News Summary
Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has inaugurated its $373 million Southwest Tower, a nine-story facility aimed at enhancing pediatric healthcare in Orange, California. Spanning 300,000 square feet, the tower includes specialty clinics, oncology services, and a children-focused design, promising to improve the healthcare experience for young patients and their families. CHOC anticipates serving over 168,000 patients in its first year, highlighting the significant impact on regional healthcare capacity.
Children’s Hospital of Orange County Celebrates Launch of New $373 Million Southwest Tower
The Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) has recently unveiled its new nine-story Southwest Tower, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance pediatric healthcare in Orange, California. With a total construction investment of around $373 million, the Southwest Tower is poised to improve services for families and their young patients.
Facility Features and Design
Covering an impressive 300,000 square feet, the Southwest Tower is dedicated to modern healthcare needs, featuring five floors specially allocated for specialty clinics, oncology infusion services, and a research institute focused on clinical trials and pediatric research. The design integrates child-friendly elements, including themed floors adorned with toys from Mattel, a fun and engaging environment for young patients.
The imaging center in the tower highlights creativity, showcasing a “zoo theme” with vibrant animal decorations. This includes a kiddie MRI designed to ease children into imaging experiences by allowing them to use dolls for simulations. Overall, the facility aims to create a comforting and healing environment for patients and their families.
Strategic Development Goals
The Southwest Tower has been developed as a complementary structure to CHOC’s existing Bill Holmes Tower, which was completed in 2012. Both towers are designed with the help of CannonDesign, ensuring continuity in architectural style and functionality. The hospital’s commitment to consolidating outpatient services means families can now consult multiple specialists in a single visit, significantly reducing the need for multiple trips.
Impact on Healthcare Services
With the new tower now operational, CHOC is expected to serve approximately 168,000 patients in its first year, with projections estimating nearly 200,000 patients by 2030, demonstrating a significant boost in healthcare capacity for the region. In conjunction, the hospital has also expanded its services within the Bill Holmes Tower, adding a 24-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit and a 28-bed neuroscience unit.
Construction and Team Efforts
The construction of the Southwest Tower began with a groundbreaking ceremony in 2022, led by the collaboration of McCarthy Building Companies as the general contractor and Jacobs as the construction manager. Jim Madrid, the president of McCarthy’s Southern Pacific region, has emphasized the transformative impact of the new facility on the local healthcare expertise, ensuring that pediatric care maintains the highest standards. Notably, Craig Cherf, the senior preconstruction director for the project, holds a personal connection to CHOC, having experienced its services firsthand when his son was treated for leukemia.
Future Prospects
The Southwest Tower began opening its doors to patients in June, with various floors becoming operational over the summer. While most services are now active, the oncology department on the fourth floor is scheduled to start in the near future. As the hospital continues to enhance pediatric care, stakeholders express optimism about its growing role in the community and the impact it will have on families seeking specialized healthcare for their children.
The opening of the Southwest Tower marks a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment of CHOC to provide advanced healthcare resources for children, promising a brighter future for pediatric health in Orange County.
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Construction CA Resources
Additional Resources
- Construction Dive: CHOC Hospital Tower in California
- Wikipedia: Children’s Hospital of Orange County
- ABC7: Orange County Children’s Hospital Response
- Google Search: Children’s Hospital of Orange County
- OC Register: CHOC’s New Tower
- Google Scholar: Children’s Hospital of Orange County
