Watertown,
New York ----- Today, Samaritan Medical Center introduced SmithGroup as
the architectural, engineering and planning firm it has selected to
design a facility master plan for modernization of its facilities.
SmithGroup, based in Washington, DC, specializes in healthcare planning
and design and was ranked 5th largest healthcare architect in the
United States in the March 2006 Modern Healthcare Design and
Construction survey.
The facility master planning process includes several steps, such as
process methodology, analysis and assessment, alternative development
options, and comprehensive plan and design guidelines. Initially,
programming and functional assessments are conducted for the current
facilities. Then taking into consideration volumes, utilization,
staffing, workflow, and future projections, scenarios are created and
alternatives are identified and tested to ensure alignment of services
and space. Finally, a comprehensive master plan, which includes
conceptual drawings, is developed to illustrate the preferred direction
that the facility must take in order to meet short- and long-term
goals.
“SmithGroup is a proven leader in healthcare planning and design, and
we’re excited to have them on board for this important project,”
explained Thomas Carman, Samaritan’s President and Chief Executive
Officer. “Because approximately 85% of our physical plant was
constructed prior to 1972, we fully anticipate this process to result
in a facility master plan that calls for significant expansion and
modernization. We will be investing close to $200,000 in this process,
and the result will be a intelligent and innovative plan for our
facility based on our future goals and the unique healthcare needs of
our community.”
The planning committee of Samaritan Medical Center’s Board of Trustees
led the effort to select an architectural and engineering partner. From
the eight initial proposals that were received from firms across the
country, four firms were invited to conduct presentations to the
planning committee, members of the medical staff and senior leadership.
SmithGroup was ultimately selected as the firm whose experience and
approach best matched Samaritan’s needs and the needs of the community.
“Our entire healthcare team at SmithGroup is looking forward to working
in partnership with Samaritan Medical Center,” stated Phil Tobey,
Principal-in-Charge and Senior Vice President at SmithGroup.
“Samaritan’s dedication to high quality healthcare, coupled with
SmithGroup’s 150-year history of successful healthcare facility
planning and design, creates a strong foundation for this project. We
can’t wait to get started.”
Completion of the facility master plan is expected to occur by
September. Samaritan will then submit a Certificate of Need application
to the NYS Department of Health, with construction anticipated to begin
in April 2008.
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