Tucson, AZ - Northwest Medical Center, an affiliate of Community Health Systems, headquartered in Franklin, TN, plans to open the first freestanding emergency department in metro Tucson, giving residents in Vail access to nearby emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The emergency room will serve patients who experience medical emergencies in the southeast submarket of Tucson. This regional, freestanding emergency center will be located at 10146 East Old Vail Road in Vail.
The 11,500-square-foot build-to-suit will be in the Houghton Town Center at the intersection of Houghton and Old Vail Roads. Northwest Medical Center is investing $7.2 million in the new leased facility. More than 30 new jobs will be created to serve patients at the new center, including registered nurses and lab, imaging, admitting and environmental services staff. Board-certified emergency physicians, registered nurses and other patient care providers will staff the center.
Dr. Jim Hassen, medical director for the Emergency Department at Northwest Medical Center, said, “Our team of emergency physicians is looking forward to being part of this exciting new venture. This facility will be a first in Tucson and we are pleased to be able to offer high quality emergency care at another convenient location.”
Northwest Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Kevin Stockton said, “Northwest Emergency Center at Vail will provide faster access to emergency care for people living in the Rita Ranch and Vail areas. We have been serving more than just ‘Northwest’ Tucson for many years and this is another example of our commitment to expand healthcare in the greater metropolitan area.”
Like any hospital emergency department, the new Northwest Emergency Center will be equipped to treat patients with illnesses and injuries that require a higher level of care than urgent care facilities offer. The freestanding emergency department will have 12 private patient rooms with radiology and lab services on-site. Many emergency services will be effectively managed at this freestanding emergency department without the need for transfer to a traditional hospital setting.
“We are thrilled to bring Northwest Medical to Houghton Town Center," said Shannon Murphy, Director of Sales and Marketing, Diamond Ventures, the developer of Houghton Town Center. “Southeast Tucson is growing rapidly, so providing services like emergency care that are lacking in this submarket is an important part of our strategic plan for this community center.”
More than 30 new jobs will be created to serve patients at the new center, including registered nurses and lab, imaging, admitting and environmental services staff.
Rick Kleiner MBA, Principal and Office Specialist with Cushman & Wakefield | PICOR and Jim Eaton with Geis Realty Group, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA represented Community Health System’s affiliate Northwest Medical Center in the negotiating the built-to-suit. Construction is scheduled to begin in January and is expected to be completed by late 2015.
To learn more Kleiner can be reached at 520.546.2745.