Q. Will there be new service lines in the replacement hospital?
As we develop innovative enhancements for the replacement hospital it is crucial to understand we will not be adding new service lines. Instead, we are focused on enhancing our existing services. For example, since on average we have 4
pediatric patients a day, we felt it is important to create the right size (8-bed) unit that can be properly set up for just children. In addition, we will expand our partnership with Children's Memorial Hospital, so that parents will
not have to drive to the city to see pediatric specialists. The future partnership will include specialty offices on the replacement hospital campus for the following services: cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurology/epilepsy,
pulmonary medicine, rheumatology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology, plastic surgery and urology. These services will be located in the Medical Office Building opening in July 2009.
Q. Will the replacement hospital be "green"?
Silver Cross Hospital has a commitment to protecting individual as well as
community health. We are optimizing every opportunity to be "green" in the
design, construction, operations and maintenance of our new campus. We are
integrating the strategies of LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification into the development of the new hospital. This
includes:
- Design of the mechanical systems to be highly efficient
- Using recycled and other environmentally conscious materials for greater
sustainability
- Maximizing site - open green space
- Incorporating sustainable forestry certified woods
- Using environmentally friendly cleaning solutions
- Including low volume plumbing fixtures
- Designing a building exterior with a high R value
- Maximizing daylight and open views
- Specifying interior low emitting materials that promote high indoor air quality
- Reducing roof-heat island effect by use of green or white roofs
- Using regional building materials to the greatest extent possible
- Utilizing high efficiency fluorescent lamps for lighting
Q. Why are we building a replacement hospital?
Silver Cross is committed to our mission to provide the highest quality health care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. We are proud to have been nationally recognized for our efforts by being named a 100 Top Hospital for four years in a row. After considering all possible options including building on our current campus, our Board of Trustees has concluded that a replacement hospital is the best way to ensure that Silver Cross can continue to meet our mission now and for the next 100 years. A replacement hospital on our current campus is not a viable option, as it is not affordable, would take almost twice as long to build, and be highly disruptive to on-going services.
Q. What will happen to the existing campus?
We are committed to working with Mayor Schultz and Joliet and county officials to build upon the progress they have made in bringing economic development opportunities to Joliet. The city is at the forefront of growth, and we believe this site can play a valuable role in the future of Joliet.
We are also working with the Silver Cross Health Community Commission-a group of local leaders chaired by retired Will County Board Member Margie Woods. The Healthy Community Commission will make recommendations on the redevelopment of the current hospital campus.
In making the decision to relocate, we engaged a real estate firm to provide several different scenarios for our current site - all of which we gave to the City of Joliet for consideration. Each scenario included an urgent care facility to remain on the eastside of Joliet to continue to provide medical care for the surrounding neighborhood. Our consultant demonstrated that all of the scenarios have positive economic impact on Joliet and Will County.
Q. Will our current campus become a V.A. Hospital?
You may have read about the grassroots support throughout the community including a recent resolution passed by the City of Joliet to turn our current campus into a V.A. Hospital. This is a very interesting idea that Silver Cross Hospital would be glad to explore. We remain committed to working with the Silver Cross Healthy Community Commission, Mayor Schultz, Joliet and county officials to build upon the progress they have made in bringing economic development opportunities to Joliet.
Q. Will the replacement hospital be accessible by public transportation?
Yes. We are committed to ensuring good access to the new site for all patients in our service area as well as our employees and we are working with the City of Joliet, the Village of New Lenox, and Pace in exploring both public and private transportation options.
Q. How will we make the operational move to the new hospital?
Over the next three years, we will have plenty of opportunity to develop a transition and move plan. We will work with experts that have experience with a hospital move. This plan will address each department and service individually and collectively and will include review by our clinical leadership to ensure high quality patient care is maintained throughout the transition.
Q. Will there be a parking deck?
There are no plans for a parking deck at the new campus. Parking decks are very expensive to build and every dollar we spend on a parking deck takes away from monies used for patient care. There will be plenty of convenient parking - 1,800 spaces.
Q. What impact will the replacement hospital have on jobs?
A positive impact. A replacement facility will mean an influx of about 200-250 new healthcare jobs in addition to over 630 new construction and trade jobs. No jobs will be cut as a result of the replacement hospital. Further, our vision
for the re-use of the existing site includes exciting opportunities for economic development and job creation in Joliet.
Q. Will we have Chicago water at the replacement hospital?
Yes. New Lenox receives its water supply from Lake Michigan.
Q. Will all the physicians and employees move to the new campus?
Physicians located in the Medical Arts Building and Specialty Care Pavilion will have an opportunity to relocate to the new campus. There will be two medical office buildings to accommodate these as well as other physicians interested in seeing patients at the replacement hospital. Our intention is to assist the offices on our current campus with moving to the new campus. The first Medical Office Building will open in July 2009. The second will open slightly before the new hospital in 2011.
Q. Will there be transportation for employees who walk to work?
We are confident that there will be public transportation from the eastside of Joliet to the new location, especially with the advent of a mega-mall and other retail planned off the I-355 exit next to Silver Cross. We are working with the City of Joliet, the Village of New Lenox, and Pace in exploring both public and private transportation options.
Q. Has the project been approved by the State?
Yes. Silver Cross received approval to build a replacement hospital from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board on July 3, 2008.
Q. Do we intend to become a Level I Trauma Center?
At this point, there are no plans to upgrade our Trauma status. We will continue to serve as the resource hospital for the Will-Grundy EMS System, as we have for over 30 years, when we move to the new campus.
Q. Will we still support the Joliet JackHammers and sponsor the naming of Silver Cross Field?
We have been a proud partner with the City of Joliet and the Joliet JackHammers in bringing fun and family-affordable entertainment to the downtown area. We are currently in our sixth year of a 15-year agreement and have every intention of continuing that support.
