Parkland Celebrates Historic Groundbreaking

New healthcare campus to be completed in 2014

DALLAS  — Parkland Health & Hospital System officially marked the beginning of a new chapter in health care Oct. 28 as the system’s board of managers and leadership, local officials and members of the Dallas community gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new healthcare campus.

Design renderings and a model of the 2.5 million-square-foot campus were revealed as well as the significant breaking of ground, which included participation by Parkland employees.

The new campus will be located on the northeast corner of Harry Hines Boulevard and Medical District Drive and is currently the largest hospital construction project in the United States. Throughout the next four years more than 3,000 jobs will be created within this area.

“The design of the new Parkland will enhance educational opportunities for our staff as well as create a more patient-centered environment of healing for our patients,” said Ron J. Anderson, MD, Parkland’s president and chief executive officer. “We will be a hospital of first choice, not of last resort.”

The patient-centered approach includes the use of single patient casino real money rooms, natural light and windows as well as more space for family and visitors. The facility will be adaptable and capable of meeting the future medical needs of the community in addition to utilizing green building methods and energy sources.

“The new healthcare campus is truly a community project,” said Lauren McDonald, MD, chair, Parkland Board of Managers. “Dallas County has shown its overwhelming commitment to Parkland through the bond election as well as continued philanthropic support and in return our community will have a world class facility for generations to come.”

The $1.27 billion project includes an 862-bed hospital, outpatient clinics and parking. The financing plan includes a $747 million combination tax and revenue bonds, $350 million from Parkland’s current and future cash reserves and $150 million in philanthropic dollars raised by Parkland Foundation. To date the foundation has raised more than $90 million toward the project.

For the latest construction updates on Parkland’s new healthcare campus, visit newparkland.parklandhospital.com .