A Michigan Medicine milestone: Organization breaks ground on hospital of the future

Last Friday, Michigan Medicine celebrated the groundbreaking of its new hospital, a 12-story facility to be built on the main medical campus.

It was a joyous day marked with shovels and smiles, speeches and cider. And while the organization’s leadership spoke about how important and exciting the new facility will be, the day focused on those who have been instrumental in the project coming to fruition: Michigan Medicine faculty and staff.

“Literally hundreds of you put in hours of your time to tell us what the new hospital needed and how it can best serve both you and our patients,” said Marschall S. Runge, M.D., Ph.D., executive vice president for medical affairs, dean of the U-M Medical School and CEO of Michigan Medicine.

Runge spoke to employees at a special Friday afternoon event that marked the beginning of the construction phase of the project. The building is anticipated to be completed by 2024.

“This is a key milestone in a long process,” Runge said. “And we wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for our faculty and staff.”

Others shared that sentiment.

Shon Dwyer, executive director for University Hospital and the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, said: “To everyone involved in the planning process, thank you. We all share your excitement about this new facility and I can’t thank you enough for all of the contributions you have made.”

The event concluded with remarks from Zach Tomlinson, a patient who served on a patient advisory committee for the new hospital.

“No matter what new technology it brings or how beautiful the facility is, a hospital is only as good as its biggest asset, the employees,” Tomlinson said. “And after being treated at Michigan Medicine for the past 22 years, I know that this facility will be second-to-none because of the people who will be working in it.”

Take a look back at Friday’s celebration in the video above and photo gallery below!

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