New Children’s Hospital Project Moves Forward as Ground is Broken

Kaleida Health recently held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. Physicians, employees, donors, elected officials and other dignitaries were on hand to kick off construction on the new $270-million facility.

The Oishei Children’s Hospital will replace the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, New York.

The historic project will right size and consolidate services in a 12-floor, 183-bed, freestanding, modern facility on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. It will be an integral part of the campus, linking with Buffalo General Medical Center, the Gates Vascular Institute, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the new University at Buffalo Medical School and more.

Shepley Bulfinch was selected to design the physician-led plan. Turner Construction Company is the construction manager for the building of the new hospital.

Not only will the Oishei Children’s Hospital be the link for the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, but the hospital will be the only link for comprehensive pediatric healthcare for Western New York. The Oishei Children’s Hospital ensures pediatric and maternal services remain available for patients in the Western New York region.

Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo (and the new Oishei Children’s Hospital) is the only center with the pediatric specialists (physicians, surgeons, respiratory therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, child life, along with trained and compassionate support staff such as aides, housekeepers, dieticians) who can care for all children (0–21) and their families.

It is the only access point for pediatric critical care, Level III neonatal intensive care and Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in and for Western New York. The sickest babies and children come to the hospital for care, either directly or through transfers from other hospitals. Without the resources available at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, these young patients would have to travel out of area for care.

Construction is expected to take approximately 34 months to complete, with doors opening in 2017.