Largest, Most Comprehensive Orthopedic Center in Illinois Slated to Open in November.
(CHICAGO) - Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush and Rush University Medical Center unveiled the new Orthopedic Building at a Ribbon Cutting Gala October 5, 2009.
Construction of the new, sustainable, state-of-the-art Orthopaedic Building at Rush University Medical Center is nearly completed. MOR orthopaedic experts will begin seeing patients in the new facility beginning November 1. The seven-story, 220,000-square-foot Orthopaedic Building—located at the corner of Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street on the Rush campus—is the largest facility devoted to orthopaedics in the Midwest.
The new Orthopaedic Building will offer comprehensive outpatient care on five floors. The building features 60 examination rooms, six x-ray and imaging suites, an imaging center with CT and two MRIs, full-service physical and occupational therapy facilities, orthotics and prosthetic services, and research facilities of the department of Orthopaedic Surgery. These include laboratories for Human Motion Analysis, Biomechanics, Tribology (the study of friction, lubrication and wear) and Implant Retrieval.
"As our practice has grown along with our research endeavors, we began planning long ago for a model new facility that would accommodate not only our faculty needs, but which would make it more convenient and accessible for our patients and their families when they come to our facilities," said Dr. Gunnar Andersson, chairman emeritus of the department of orthopedics.
The building also will contain offices for all MOR surgeons, researchers and staff, a conference and learning center, and retail space on the ground floor. MOR will relocate its clinical facilities and physician offices currently in Rush's nearby Professional Building and at 800 S. Wells in the River City building complex to the new Orthopedic Building.
"For the first time in our history, orthopedic surgery's departmental administration, research and educational activities will be in close proximity to the outpatient clinical operations," said Dr. Joshua Jacobs, chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Rush. "This arrangement is optimal to promote interaction between the many productive members of our department and will enhance our translational research efforts."
The Orthopedic Building is part of the first phase of the most comprehensive construction and facilities renovation program in Rush's history. Dubbed "The Rush Transformation", the program encompasses Rush's plans to invest in new technology, build new facilities and improve patient care processes, while at the same time reorienting the entire physical campus around patients and their families. The projected completion date is 2012.
"The new Orthopedic Building along with construction of our new hospital directly across the street, have already begun to positively reshape the entrance to the campus at Harrison and Ashland. The Rush Transformation is the most comprehensive redesign, construction and facility renovations program in our 169 year campus history," said Dr. Larry Goodman, president and CEO of Rush.
The design plans for the new Orthopedic Building paid special attention to environmental efficiency and responsiveness. An extensive green roof restores 50 percent of the site with adaptive vegetation, decreases 25 percent of storm water runoff, and reduces the "heat island" effect. Recycled product for concrete, steel and wallboard was used during construction and construction materials came from local manufacturers within 500 miles of Chicago to reduce fuel for transportation and emissions. Low-flow plumbing fixtures were installed throughout the entire building and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) paint and sealants were used. The new facility will institute a trash recycling program adopted throughout the Rush campus.
Rush is seeking Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy, efficiency, materials selection and indoor environment quality.
Pictured left to right: Peter Butler (Executive VP and COO, Rush University Medical Center), Richard Jaffee (Chairman of Board of Trustees, Rush), Gunnar Andersson, M.D., Ph.D. (Partner, MOR/Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Rush), Joshua Jacobs, M.D. (Partner, MOR/Chairman of Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush), Charles Bush-Joseph, M.D. (Managing Partner, MOR), Larry Goodman, M.D. (President and CEO, Rush)
