Community Health Network

Community Hospital South celebrates its Next Evolution; Indiana Fever’s Tully Bevilaqua gives signal at steel topping out ceremony

For release: 3/16/2009

Indianapolis, IN---Community Health Network celebrated a major milestone of its $130 million expansion of Community Hospital South during a special ceremony on the hospital’s campus today.  Employees, community leaders and neighbors gathered outside the hospital as Community Hospital South President, Mike Blanchet, and Indiana Fever point guard, Tully Bevilaqua, gave the signal for one of the last pieces of steel on the project to be placed.  Employees spent the last week signing the steel, covering the beam with messages and signatures.

“This is an exciting day for our Community family,” said Blanchet.  “Just nine months after breaking ground, we are here to celebrate the placement of the final steel beam. This project is focused on transforming health care on the south side of Indianapolis.  We want to create a strikingly different and exceptional health care experience that accelerates healing, reduces stress and improves efficiency. ”

During the past two years, inpatient volumes have increased 20 percent at Community Hospital South.  In addition, White RiverTownship in JohnsonCounty is expected to have dramatic growth in the next five years.  Population there is expected to grow to more than 40,000 by 2010.  The Greenwood population is expected to grow by 9 percent by 2012.

Bevilaqua noted the similarities between the Community team and her own team, the Indiana Fever, which is celebrating its 10^th anniversary with the WNBA this year.  “It takes successful people to make these types of milestones possible,” stated Bevilaqua. “So I want to congratulate the talent and compassion of the employees here and across Community Health Network that have made this day happen.”

One of the unique aspects of the Community Hospital South expansion project is the design input provided by members of the staff and community.  Patients, nurses and physicians helped design the new hospital, which will include a five-story patient tower that will  increase hospital capacity from 110 beds to 150 all-private rooms; six new operating suites; and convenient, expanded outpatient services serving southern Marion and Johnson counties.

A major theme of the project is a healing environment for patients.  The facility will include aesthetically-pleasing natural light with large windows and nature-inspired design elements. Rooms will adjust to the level of medical care required, minimizing the need to move patients from room to room.  Additionally, decentralized nursing stations will keep caregivers closer to each patient so they can provide the best possible care.  The new hospital will also have ample waiting areas to comfortably accommodate family members. 

The Next Evolution of Community Hospital South is also focused on the environment, incorporating green elements and construction practices.  The project is registered with the Green Guide for Health Care and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.

Community has partnered with architects from RTKL of Dallas and engineers from BSA Life Structures of Indianapolis to design the 194,000-square-foot addition.  Rollins Construction of Indianapolis is the general contractor.  In addition to investing in the local community by hiring local businesses to oversee the project, the Next Evolution of Community Hospital South is expected to create 200 life sciences jobs on the south side of Indianapolis.

Community Health Network is committed to completing the construction as planned, with building continuing on target throughout 2009.  Construction of the surgical suites will be completed in late 2009, followed by the completion of the patient tower in mid-year 2010.  Patients will have access to all medical facilities and services throughout the construction period.

CommunityHospital South is an acute care hospital located at 1400 East County Line Road.  With a vast array of surgical capabilities, maternity care, emergency room services and cardiovascular care, Community Hospital South provides an exceptional patient and family experience for the residents of southern Marion and Johnson Counties.  Ranked among the top 10 integrated health care networks in the nation, Community Health Network has more than 70 sites of care throughout central Indiana. This includes Community Hospitals East, North and South in Indianapolis and Community Hospital Anderson; The Indiana Heart Hospital, a dedicated heart hospital; Indiana Surgery Centers; Community Physicians of Indiana; Community Home Health Services; MedCheck walk-in care centers and MEDPOINT express convenience clinics; employer health services; nursing homes; and other health care facilities. Community Health Network is committed to getting you well and back to your life. For more information about Community Health Network or to find a physician, call 800-777-7775 or visit eCommunity.com.

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Lynda de Widt
Media Relations
Community Health Network
317-621-3636
E-mail