Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital has proven its commitment to serve the community of Memphis and surrounding areas through multiple expansions since the new hospital building opened in 2010. Through a longstanding partnership SSR was involved in the replacement hospital design and construction, which included an approximately 50,000 SF surgery expansion in 2019, and now a current project to expand the existing cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU).

The current CVICU expansion encompasses five floors, including the basement, as well as additional shell space for future growth. With an anticipated completion date of 2024, the project will add 36 CVICU beds and 14 NICU beds to the existing hospital. The scope also includes an interventional cath lab, relocation of Blood Bank and an expansion to the existing chiller plant. SSR provided mechanical, electrical, and technology engineering design services on the facility.

Now in the construction phase of the project, the team must manage the impact such an expansion has on existing operations and space. The structure extends to the street on the edge of the property, which leaves limited space for the construction team. Additionally, the hospital must remain fully operational throughout the expansion and the project team must be creative and considerate in separating patients from the noise and activity of construction. However, the large-scale project will ultimately provide more resources and space for Le Bonheur to serve the community of Memphis and surrounding areas.