KEARNEY, Neb. — Good Samaritan Hospital is celebrating the grand opening of the West Tower expansion, a project that expands the regional referral facility by more than 120,000-square-feet. Also serving as the new home of the Ron and Carol Cope Heart Center, the hospital expansion includes new surgical suites and surgical support departments, new endoscopy suites and a new cafeteria and dining area. The new heart center consolidates many of the cardiac services offered at Good Samaritan, including outpatient testing, diagnostic and interventional catheterizations and open heart surgery, into one location.
The addition was designed to complement the existing hospital campus, with materials and forms that integrate with these buildings. The design aims to be
approachable, welcoming and comfortable for patients, families and staff. The interior environment reinforces Good Samaritan’s commitment to the Planetree model of patient-centered care, with natural materials, a soothing color palette, materials that minimize noise, access to natural light and intuitive wayfinding. Nature-inspired artwork further connects patients and families to the natural environment and promotes healing.
The jewel of the project is a new dining room within a two-story space that opens onto a welcoming sunken amphitheatre-style garden. With abundant 
plantings, outdoor seating and a walkway that connects the space with street level, this garden provides a place of respite for patients, families and staff.
As a vital contributor to the Kearney community, one unique aspect of the project was the integration of an expanded community art gallery on the balcony overlooking the dining room. The gallery features rotating exhibits curated by a special arts committee. Now the largest such venue in Kearney, the art gallery provides a dedicated space for local artists to showcase work to the community.
The project was delivered via a unique integrated design-build model, whereby AECOM served as planner, architect, interior designer, MEP and structural engineer and construction manager at risk. According to Pete Winchell, construction project director, “This integrated design and construction process enabled the construction and design teams to work collaboratively to address any issues that arose during the construction process in an efficient and cost 
-effective manner.”
The project was completed on schedule and under its $65-million budget.
Photos provided by AECOM’s Robb Williamson.
