My Go-To Place Just Got Bigger & Better
The new 99,000 square-foot patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is now open. With the project completed in April 2022, patients will continue to stay close to home while receiving the benefits of the latest technology in the best healing environment surrounded by excellent patient care provided from an award-winning health care organization. The largest expansion of its kind for the Medical Center and Alpena community, the patient tower project was made possible by the generous support of community donors and employees to which more than $6.5 million in funds was raised.
“The outpouring of support we received from our community, just with the volume of guests that came through to tour the building alone, was simply overwhelming,” said Chuck Sherwin, president, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. “MyMichigan Health has grown significantly over the last few years, and one example of this growth is excellent care and experience that our patients and community members will now have with the Alpena patient tower expansion. As the region’s preferred health care provider, ensuring patients remain close to home for their care is critical. The new patient tower enhances our community and region with bigger and better facilities for surgery, patient care and medical services.”
Meet the Tower’s First Patient
After final preparations were concluded, the patient tower opened on Tuesday, April 26. Mylah Clink was the very first patient in the new patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena! Both mom and baby rested comfortably in the new, spacious Labor, Delivery, Recovery and Postpartum suites. The all-private suites allow rooming in so that babies and parents can stay together during the hospital stay and are equipped with all the technology needed for a safe birth plus amenities to make patients and their support person comfortable.
A Look Back
The project began during a unique time, a global pandemic. In fact, for the safety of all, the patient tower construction project kicked off with a health system first – a virtual groundbreaking in July 2020. Yet, even with the challenges faced throughout COVID-19, the building progress remained on budget and on schedule.
Since the start, the intention of the patient tower has remained the same – to meet the health care needs patients seek and deserve. Importantly, in these completely modern surroundings, patients can be assured that design, equipment and support for patient safety have been a fundamental focus of the project at every step. By making every patient room private, a safer, more family-centered healing environment is generated, allowing patients to get better, rest and recover faster. These private rooms are covered by health insurance in the same way it previously covered semi-private rooms.
In addition to the 60 new private patient rooms, the new tower also includes18 prep and recovery rooms, flex rooms, and five new operating rooms - including eight intensive care unit beds, eight labor and delivery rooms, and 44 medical/surgical/telemetry beds. The next steps include the renovation of many areas in the existing Medical Center.
Patient Tower Tour
Exterior of Patient Tower Complete, Opening on Schedule - January 27, 2022
Striking windows capture the attention of those driving by as progress on the new patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena remains on schedule. Since breaking ground in July 2020, the external portion of the tower is now complete with internal finishing work underway. The project is expected for completion in spring 2022 with grand opening activities planned in late April.
The future 99,000-square-foot patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, being constructed by Miron Construction Co., Inc., is the largest expansion of its kind in the community. The $63.5 million expansion and renovation project features a three-story patient tower. The tower will house 60 new private patient rooms, including eight intensive care unit beds, eight labor and delivery rooms, and 44 medical/surgical/telemetry beds. The new tower will also include 19 prep and recovery rooms, flex rooms, as well as five new operating rooms.
A fundraising campaign led by the MyMichigan Health Foundation is underway with significant support directed toward the building project. An employee campaign is also taking place, giving Medical Center workers the opportunity to leave their mark on the patient tower project.
“We are so deeply fortunate of the support our employees and community have shown on the tower project,” said Ann Diamond, fund development director, MyMichigan Health Foundation. “This is a one-of-a-kind milestone in our history and the generosity shown to support the building efforts has been overwhelming. We couldn’t be more thankful.”
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Patient Tower on Schedule - September 2, 2021
Progress on the new patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena remains on schedule and within budget. Since breaking ground in July 2020, the external portion of the project is nearing completion and internal work is ramping up towards a grand opening slated for spring 2022.
The future 99,000-square-foot patient tower at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is the largest expansion of its kind in the community. The $63.5 million expansion and renovation project features a three-story patient tower. The tower will house 60 new private patient rooms, including eight intensive care unit beds, eight labor and delivery rooms, and 44 medical/surgical/telemetry beds. The new tower will also include 19 prep and recovery rooms, flex rooms, as well as five new operating rooms. Once complete, many areas in the existing Medical Center will be renovated.
A fundraising campaign led by the MyMichigan Health Foundation is underway with significant support directed toward the building project.
“The community has been so enthusiastic about the patient tower project and has already shown outstanding support towards our fundraising efforts,” said Ann Diamond, fund development director, MyMichigan Health Foundation. “We are appreciative the generosity shown by our community and together, we will make this new patient tower a reality.”
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Topping - Off Ceremony Video & Photos - April 27, 2021
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Chuck Sherwin Remarks
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Beam Prepared for Hoisting
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Tim Fitzpatrick Operating Crane
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Hoisting Beam
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Beam Placed on Top of Tower
Construction Update - March 26, 2021
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East Side - Board Room View
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East Side - Roof View
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North Side
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Southwest Corner
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Northwest Corner
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Roof View
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Level 1 - Operating Rooms
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Level 2 - LDRP Rooms
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Level 3 - Intermediate Care
Virtual Groundbreaking - May 28, 2020
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4/29/2022 - More Than 700 Guests Tour New Patient Tower Grand Opening Events
4/7/2022 - Public Invited to Tour New Private Patient Rooms, Advanced Care Settings at Medical Center Grand Opening Celebration on April 22
1/27/2022 - Exterior of Patient Tower Complete, Opening on Schedule
12/21/2021 - Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union Funds New Patient Tower LDRP Room
11/22/2021 - Dec. 3 Music & Merriment Holiday Fundraiser Postponed
11/15/2021 - St. Paul Lutheran Church Alpena Donates to the Patient Tower Project
10/15/2021 - Clays for a Cause Raises Funds for New Patient Tower in Alpena
10/8/2021 - Volunteers make Generous Donation to Patient Tower Project
9/15/2021 - H.P.C. Credit Union Donates to Alpena’s New Patient Tower
9/10/2021 - Wolverine State Credit Union Supports New Patient Tower
9/1/2021 - Patient Tower on Schedule, Construction Changes to Impact Internal Traffic
4/28/2021 - Topping-Off Ceremony Marks Milestone in Alpena Patient Tower Project
3/23/2021 - Volunteers Commit Generous Pledge for Alpena’s Patient Tower Project
10/19/2020 - Besser Foundation Leads the Way with Generous Contribution
7/17/2020 - Besser Foundation Offers Generous Support for Patient Tower Project
5/28/2020 - Virtual Groundbreaking Planned for Alpena’s New Patient Tower
