Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital safely moved 162 patients into the new hospital on Dec. 4 and 5, officially opening the $340 million, 255-bed hospital. The three-day move process concluded at Noon, Dec. 5, with the transfer of the 162nd in-patient to the new Le Bonheur. Fifteen-month-old Brendon Pressgrove of Memphis had the honor of being the last patient moved out of the old facility.
The new hospital is located adjacent to the original Le Bonheur, in the heart of the Memphis Medical Center on Dunlap St. Patient and visitor parking is available in the garage at 777 Washington Ave.
Campus renovations will continue in 2011. The West Tower, built in 1994, will be remodeled to house space for research, education and hospital administration. The Physician Office Building at 777 Washington Ave. will also be renovated and used for outpatient clinics.
The Central Tower is scheduled to be demolished in the fall. This will make way for a new hospital entry boulevard off of Adams Ave., providing direct access to the hospital’s main lobby. Until the entrance’s construction is complete, the public will use the hospital’s temporary main entrance off of Dunlap St.
“With this new, sustainable facility, we have positioned Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to be a national leader in pediatrics for the next 50 years,” said Dave Rosenbaum, vice president of facilities. “Our master plan allows us to maximize our current space and be positioned for future growth.”
