News Release
Mercy West Lakes ushers in new era of health care
August 27, 2009
DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 115 years ago, the Sisters of Mercy founded Des Moines’ longest continually operating hospital, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines. Mother Catherine McAuley encouraged her Sisters to "resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow." On Sept. 8, 2009, a “better tomorrow” of health care arrives for central Iowans with the opening of the replacement community hospital, Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes.
Mercy West Lakes, located at 1601 60th Street in West Des Moines, was constructed using evidence-based design — incorporating proven building methods and materials to create a state-of-the-art health care facility. Patients at Mercy West Lakes will receive quality, evidence-based care in a hospital building that promotes healing and is also environmentally friendly.
“All Iowans deserve access to the best medical care available,” said Mercy President & CEO David H. Vellinga. “The Mercy West Lakes facility, coupled with the skills of our nationally renowned physicians, nurses and medical support staff, will provide excellence in medical care well into the future. Together with our primary hospital, Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines, we will carry out the mission of service begun by the Sisters of Mercy.”
Construction of Mercy West Lakes began in 2007. The seven-story, 230,000- square-foot facility is licensed for 146 beds. Mercy West Lakes will provide 24-hour emergency room, birthing services, surgery, cardiovascular services and orthopaedics through the Center for Joint Replacement. Patients will also benefit from the specialized care available downtown at Mercy’s Central Campus.
Construction of the facility was overseen by long-time Mercy health professional Dan Aten, who will serve as Mercy West Lakes’ first administrator. With Aten's leadership, Mercy West Lakes was built to become Iowa’s first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) hospital, designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
“It’s our responsibility to be good stewards of our resources and find ways where we can be more efficient,” said Aten. “Spending a bit more during construction to improve the building’s green footprint will pay for itself in as little as three years. We expect this building will be here for 100 years or more, and we will be helping preserve natural resources during our operation.”
Mercy West Lakes will officially open at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 8. It will replace Mercy Capitol, which will discontinue services on Sept. 7. Mercy West Lakes is the capstone of the Mercy Momentum program, announced in 2003. Through Mercy Momentum, $186 million has been invested in facilities and technology — including more than $100 million at Mercy's Central Campus. The goal of Mercy Momentum is to improve access for everyone to quality medical services and deliver the right care, in the right place at the right time.
Contact Gregg Lagan
Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines
515-247-3050
cell 515-490-6636
