A milestone is in the making, and the celebrations have begun. Just over 14 months after breaking ground, Seton Healthcare Family celebrated the “topping out” of Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, a major construction milestone that marked the placement of the new hospital’s highest structural beam.
The Nov. 12 event began with community supporters joining Seton doctors, nurses and other employees in signing a ceremonial beam in the University Medical Center Brackenridge main lobby. Everyone then walked to the top of the UMC Brackenridge garage for a “bird’s-eye view” to watch a beam hoisted onto the top of the construction site.
On Nov. 4, the hardworking crew that made this possible was celebrated during a traditional topping-out luncheon on what will be the concrete driveway at the new hospital’s front entrance off Red River Street. Hundreds of workers in hard hats, steel-toed boots and safety glasses took time out to enjoy a Cajun meal and as many second helpings as 
anyone wished to have.
Executives and managers with Seton and its parent organization, Ascension, donned plastic gloves and worked the serving lines for more than an hour, demonstrating their gratitude for the workers’ efforts and verbally thanking them as well.
Seton and Ascension are investing $245 million toward the $295 million teaching hospital. $50 million will come from community donations.
Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas is scheduled to open in Spring 2017. It will be surrounded by The University of Texas’ new Dell Medical School, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2016, and be one of four Seton hospitals at which medical students will train to become doctors. The other hospitals are Seton Medical Center Austin, Seton Shoal Creek Hospital and Dell Children’s Hospital of Central Texas.
The new hospital will replace University Medical Center Brackenridge as Central Texas’ only Level I trauma center for adults.
HKS, Inc. is serving as architect and JE Dunn Construction as general contractor.
