New Aerial Shots!

Construction on the new Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast continues to move forward. Here are some neat aerial shots to show you all the progress that has been made!

As you can see, the steel frame for the second floor is in process, and concrete slabs are expected to be poured this coming Thursday. When the second floor pour is completed, electrical and plumbing on the first floor level will begin. 

Stay tuned for more updates!

Construction Moving Right Along!

Construction on the new Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast is coming along great! Moving forward, we'll be updating the blog with photos of the construction so you can follow along with us. 

 

The steel beams supporting the three floors of the new emergency center are mostly in place. The concrete structures to the left you see pictured are the elevator shafts, which were the first part of the new facility to be erected.

The utilities work for the building has started as well! Workers are busy installing the underground pipe systems, and the primary electrical power work will start soon.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast will have a Positive Impact on the Economy and Environment

The new Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast aims to have a positive impact on the economy by creating new jobs and the environment as the second LEED certified TMH building. Watch the video to learn the details from Kim Williams, Chair, Board of Directors.

Geriatric Features of Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast

Dr. Sam Ashoo, Medical Director of the Bixler Emergency Center, discusses the new freestanding Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast and how it was designed with older patients in mind. The center will include the following features:

• Low glare flooring
• Wayfinding throughout the facility
• Thicker mattresses to provide extra comfort 
• Specially trained staff in geriatric medicine

Pediatric Features of Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast

Dr. Albert Lee, Chairman of the Tallahassee Memorial Executive Committee, shares how the new emergency center will benefit even the youngest patients with specific pediatric features, including:

• a separate pediatrics entrance
• interactive sick and well waiting areas
• designated pediatrics exam rooms
• stress-reducing tools, like the Buzzy to reducing needle pain associated with shots.

TMH Breaks Ground for Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast

Yesterday, TMH broke ground for the new freestanding emergency center at the crossroads of I-10 and Thomasville Road with a dramatic kabuki drop.  Projected to open in May 2013, Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast is designed to handle most emergency situations, with special consideration for pediatric and geriatric patients. 

“At TMH, we are excited about the expansion of our emergency services to include an off-campus, freestanding facility that focuses on delivering high quality, emergency services with a team of board certified emergency physicians,” said Mark O’Bryant, President & CEO, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

“Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast has special features to help our youngest and oldest patients as well as state-of-the-art concierge emergency medicine for all members of our Big Bend community,” said Dr. Albert Lee, MD, Chair, Tallahassee Memorial Medical Executive Committee. 

For pediatric and geriatric patients, this facility offers a less stressful environment to seek emergency medical care. Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center - Northeast features a separate entrance and interactive waiting area for children and their families. While dimmed lighting, low-glare flooring, and stretchers with thicker mattresses were selected to make geriatric patients more comfortable.

Kim Williams, Chair of the TMH Board of Directors and former Chair of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, sees a boost to the local economy, “The new emergency center will create more than 150 jobs, including nursing, respiratory therapy, and security positions. TMH will also support the local economy with construction costs, including labor and materials, to complete this 45,000-square foot facility.”

This facility is also being designed, constructed, and operated according to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards to reduce the center’s impact on the environment. TMH selected Clemons, Rutherford & Associates, Inc., a local Tallahassee firm that specializes in healthcare facilities, and FreemanWhite, Inc., the nation’s leading emergency department design consulting firm, in a joint partnership to design the area’s first freestanding emergency center. 

Design for Freestanding Emergency Center Unveiled

TMH Improving Emergency Services with the Area’s First Freestanding Emergency Center

The unveiling of the new Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center Northeast building’s concept design reveals an embracing structure, infusing modern elements that achieve both aesthetic and sustainable results.  

 “Design has the power to promote feelings of wellness and healing.  The combined team of CRA and FreemanWhite sets the bar for innovation in their industry and will help to bring our vision to life, setting a new benchmark for improving comfort for all patients, while providing truly outstanding emergency care,” said Mark O’Bryant, President & CEO, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

“The preparatory mission of the Tallahassee Memorial leadership and emergency teams was to work with the architects to design a welcoming and healing environment, focusing on customized functionality for our pediatric and geriatric patients.  We are excited about the future expansion of our emergency services to include an off-campus, freestanding facility that focuses on delivering high quality, emergency services for our patients in an exceptionally inviting environment,” said Freda Lyon, Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Services Administrator.  

The building concept displays a pre-cast structure that is highlighted by areas of glass that denote the direction of entry and allows for excellent views from the interior.  The main public entry view is open and inviting, both in material and form, producing a visual “embrace” for all who enter.  The design includes a separate entrance into the pediatric emergency waiting room.  In addition, the upper level model incorporates wood-like screening elements which would both deflect light in the night for the surrounding neighborhoods and reduce energy requirements by providing shade during daylight.  Lastly, the north side of the building plans for a prominently lit marquee element that should be visible at any speed from the I-10 corridor.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare selected Clemons, Rutherford & Associates (CRA) and FreemanWhite, Inc. in a joint partnership to design the area’s first freestanding emergency center.  Clemons, Rutherford & Associates is a local Tallahassee firm that specializes in healthcare and educational facilities.  CRA has teamed with FreemanWhite, Inc., an emergency department design consulting firm that has completed over 200 emergency centers in the U.S. and is considered the national leader in ED design. FreemanWhite led the planning effort under the direction of Jon Huddy, Managing Principal, who authored the book Emergency Department Design: A Practical Guide to Planning for the Future published by the American College of Emergency Physicians.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare President & CEO, Mark O’Bryant, talks about the design reveal for Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center Northeast.

View the designs below (click on the image to see a larger view):