University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center seeks architect for $250M hospital

Alia Paavola -

Albuquerque-based University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center's governing board voted Tuesday to hire an architect to start designing a new hospital, expected to cost up to $250 million, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

The design work will focus on the initial phase of the project, which will include 120 beds, six operating rooms and clinical offices. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in 2022.

"I think this is a very important day for our university, our community and our state," Steve McKernan, UNMH's CEO, told the Albuquerque Journal after the board's approval. "It will allow us to continue to deliver and enhance high-quality care for a lot of patients."

The proposal presented earlier this year envisions completely replacing UNMH's adult care units and establishing a 408-bed hospital. However, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center's Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine Paul Roth, MD, said it made more sense to construct the hospital in phases from a financial perspective.

UNMH still needs state approval from the Higher Education Department and Board of Finance prior to construction of the first phase.

UNMH is seeking bids for architects to design the first phase of the hospital.

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.