Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has opened a $426 million patient tower named for its retiring CEO, Julie Freischalg, MD.
The Julie Ann Freischlag Tower expands critical care services in the region and provides advanced medical technologies, according to a July 23 health system news release.
The 327,000-square-foot building includes an adult emergency department that opened in April, 28 operating rooms, 56 adult intensive care rooms and a new sterile processing department. Areas on all floors will begin opening in the coming weeks, with the tower expected to be fully operational by fall 2025.
Dr. Freischlag will retire at the end of 2025 after more than 32 years in academic medicine leadership. She has led Wake Forest Baptist since 2017 and also served as chief academic officer and executive vice president of Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, as well as executive vice president of health affairs at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem.
“By opening these doors, we are taking a monumental step forward that allows us to significantly enhance our clinical capabilities, expand our educational and research opportunities and better meet the needs of our growing community,” Dr. Freischlag said in the release. “I couldn’t have imagined a more fulfilling way to close out my career with this outstanding team and build on the excellence of care that is our hallmark.”
