The joint venture team of Mortenson / Tonn & Blank completed the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, IN. This $230 million replacement hospital centralizes service from two inefficient, aging facilities located in two parts of the city, and is the latest showpiece for Trinity Health System.

At the core of the new 90-acre campus is a large diagnostic and treatment center that includes the emergency department, observation units, imaging, diagnostic, surgery, cath/IR, interventional cardiology, and conference areas. Multi-story medical office buildings connect to the hospital, providing physicians, staff, and patients quick, convenient access. Work also included a 15,000 square foot central utility plant and a maintenance facility.

The 658,000 square foot hospital was designed to promote safety, efficiency, and healing in a soothing environment. A multi-story tower provides 254 in-patient private rooms and baths with a hotel-style atmosphere. This hospitality-concept includes a business center available for patients and visiting family members. The team used evidence-based design concepts, such as same-handed patient rooms with infrastructure in identical spaces for increased staff efficiency and safety. After nine months in operation, the hospital reported double-digit increases in procedural volumes in 20% less space.

Built using LEED® standards, the hospital followed the Green Guide for Health Care—a national self-certification program for healthcare construction—and is registered as a pilot project. The project has been recognized with an Economic Impact Award from Brownfield Renewal and an Award of Merit from Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine.

Mortenson’s in-house capabilities proved critical to successfully delivering a comprehensive coordination model for the customer. Mortenson’s BIM specialists created the architectural (including interior walls and ceilings) and enclosure models to facilitate coordination of structural and MEP models that were developed by the associated subcontractors.

The HVAC subcontractor reported that re-work was reduced by over 4% as compared to similar construction projects. This was primarily attributed to extensive pre-planning, and co-location on-site, which minimized RFIs and other conflicts during construction.