UNM plans to build new hospital next to existing one
Patrick Hayes
KOB 4
The University of New Mexico is planning to build a new hospital next to the existing facility.
If the current plans are approved by committees and officials, construction can start next August.
UNM Hopital’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Mike Chicarelli said the hospital needs some serious change.
"We've talked about the crowded and outdated operating suites built in 1954 and we know those spaces are very, very small,” Dr. Chicarelli said.
Chicarelli gave the hospital’s finance committee an update on plans to build a $400 million modern medical tower.
"So the design of the new tower, we would definitely want to create a space where we have backstage activity such as moving supplies, etc. and of course front stage activity which is patient flow, provider flow, etc.," he said.
The new tower will have 96 inpatient beds and 18 operating rooms.