June 3, 2008

Mercy Medical Center – Des Moines will hold a ceremony at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, to mark the placement of the final steel beam at Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes.  The event will take place at 5901 Westown Parkway, at the east end of the parking lot.  The ceremonial “Topping Out” is a tradition held by contractors to celebrate this important milestone in the construction process.

The final beam has already been signed by hundreds of Mercy employees and physicians who will be present to see the beam hoisted to its final location. The event will also be broadcast live to Mercy’s Central Campus and Mercy Capitol for employees unable to travel to the event.      

“Mercy West Lakes will incorporate the best of what Mercy has come to stand for in the greater Des Moines community: a legacy of inspired service to all, a history of innovative care and an unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience to each and every patient we serve,” said Mercy President & CEO David H. Vellinga.

When completed in late 2009, Mercy Medical Center—West Lakes will be a seven-story, 230,000 square foot hospital offering the same services as Mercy Capitol— including medical and surgical care, intensive care, obstetrical and cardiac services, a 24-hour emergency department, and diagnostic and ancillary services. The facility, which will be a replacement of Mercy Capitol, will cost between $90-$100 million to build and will initially open with 82 beds, with room for expansion if needed.  Mercy Capitol will close once the construction of Mercy West Lakes is complete in late 2009.

“This new facility creates an opportunity for us to improve the patient experience at many levels – through the environment, aesthetics, improved staff efficiencies, and more advanced technologies,” said Vellinga.  “Today we celebrate not just another hospital, but an incredible breakthrough in innovative patient care that those we serve will benefit from for generations to come as our communities continue to grow.”

Mercy West Lakes will incorporate evidence-based design for advanced healing— including an outdoor healing garden and green space; a quiet, soothing environment with abundant natural sunlight and attractive colors and finishes.  Patient rooms will also be larger to allow for inclusion of the family in the recovery process.

Mercy West Lakes will be the first hospital in central Iowa built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications.  “The commitment to being good stewards of our environment is also part of our heritage and one we take very seriously as we are always mindful of what is best for our community long-term,” added Vellinga.