CaroMont Health Begins Construction on New Patient Tower

GASTONIA, NC – CaroMont Health recently marked the beginning of construction for a new patient tower on the campus of CaroMont Regional Medical Center. The 146,000-square foot tower will be dedicated solely to the care and treatment of seriously or critically ill patients and is part of CaroMont Health’s commitment to invest more than $350 million in around Gaston County over the next five years.

“With nearly 250,000 patient encounters every year, CaroMont Regional Medical Center has experienced a steady increase in patient volume over the last several years,” said Chris Peek, President and Chief Executive Officer at CaroMont Health. “Coupled with the projected growth of our community and the advancing age of our patient population, the need for hospital-based care continues to rise.”

Construction kicked off last week with a ceremonial setting of columns that will be used to raise the new Critical Care tower. Coincidentally, the expansion coincides with the 50-year anniversary of construction for CaroMont Regional Medical Center.

“In 1970, a group of people not unlike the ones gathered here stood in this spot with a vision for what this hospital could be,” said Peek. “That vision became a reality because they knew this community would grow and it would need the best medical care possible. They also understood that care and medicine thrive when it is provided close to home.”

Chris Peek, President and CEO of CaroMont Health delivers remarks

Each floor in the state-of-the-art tower will include 26 private ICU-level patient rooms, centralized nursing stations and administrative areas to allow for clear visual observation of all patient rooms. Every aspect of the tower is designed with community in mind, beginning with the collaborative approach of the project team. Representatives from medical staff, nursing, clinical support and facilities management developed floor layouts not just on paper, but through the full construction of mock patient rooms.
Example of patient rooms for the new expansion project

“At CaroMont Health, we have a phrase we often use to describe our approach to projects large and small – clinically led, professionally managed,” said Ashley Long, RN, Vice President for Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for CaroMont Health. “The process to evaluate, plan and develop the future Critical Care Tower here at CaroMont Regional Medical Center is a true testament to that approach. From the innovative floor plan, which will allow our nurses to do their jobs more efficiently, to the larger rooms that balance technology and comfort, this project will make a difference for each of the thousands of patients who depend on us to help change and save their lives.”

Dr. Heath High, Medical Director for Critical Care and Physician Lead for the Critical Care tower project, echoed the focus on patients and their families and acknowledged the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While critical care is a relatively small specialty in the medical community, it is a complex discipline that requires significant resources to care for these patients,” said Dr. High. “This project will position the care team to continue to provide highly advanced medical therapy and create a healing environment for patients and their loved ones during a stressful and difficult time in their lives. The pandemic has been challenging, but it has also shined a light on the resilience and determination of CaroMont Regional Medical Center and CaroMont Health. We have shown ourselves to be a community leader, a highly-reliable healthcare provider and a beacon of recovery and hope even in the most challenging circumstances.”

Peek acknowledged the dedication of CaroMont Health leadership, providers, nurses and employees in his remarks.

“This project is not about steel and concrete and bricks; this is about this community,” Peek said. “This is about the commitment of the 4,300 employees and providers who serve the thousands of patients across the region. This is about showing our community how we care – now and for the 50 years to come.”

Physician leaders place one of four ceremonial columns

The Critical Care tower at CaroMont Regional Medical Center is projected to open in early 2023.

Rendering of new Critical Care Tower on the campus of CaroMont Regional Medical Center