University of Tennessee Medical Center Breaks Ground on $26 Million Expansion

By Josh Flory, The Knoxville News Sentinel, Tenn.

Jul. 24–Officials at the University of Tennessee Medical Center broke ground this morning on a new heart hospital that is slated to open in 2010.

The four-story, $26 million facility will be located at the medical center’s campus near Alcoa Highway and will provide inpatient services for the Heart Lung Vascular Institute.

At this morning’s ceremony, UT Medical Center cardiothoracic surgeon John Mack cited Tennessee’s high rates of smoking, obesity and high blood pressure, which he said are contributors to heart and lung illnesses. Mack said the centerpiece of the new hospital will be a 24-bed cardiovascular intensive care unit, which will have rooms large enough to accommodate a lounge and a bathroom, so family members can stay with patients at the facility.

UT Medical Center president and CEO Joe Landsman said the groundbreaking represented an important day for the center and the community. “The real reason behind this is focused on patient care,” he said.

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