University of Chicago Medicine has received state approval to build a $66.9 million outpatient center in Orland Park and spend $123.5 million to develop the third and fourth floor of its flagship hospital in Hyde Park. <\/p>\n
The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of the Orland Park project despite criticism that it could hurt other southwest suburban hospitals with similar specialties. <\/p>\n
A lot of sick people and parents of sick people don't want to spend an hour and a half on the Dan Ryan, review board member Philip Bradley said. <\/p>\n
In a letter to the review board opposing the project, south suburban Affiliated Oncologists LLC listed 11 nearby facilities offering radiation oncology and infusion therapy, two specialties U. of C. officials said they will feature in Orland Park. <\/p>\n
U. of C. Medical Center President Sharon O'Keefe defended the location, saying the project had not prompted opposition from nearby hospitals, and it received letters of support from local officials, patients and physicians. <\/p>\n
The university's market research data show the area, with a growing and aging population, is expected to need additional exam rooms and physicians by the time the project is completed, O'Keefe said. She also said it would provide a more convenient location in the south suburbs. To remain competitive, University of Chicago needs to improve accessibility to specialty care. <\/p>\n
Some critics at the review board meeting said University of Chicago Medicine should open an adult trauma center on Chicago's South Side before planning a more lucrative expansion in the suburbs. <\/p>\n
University of Chicago Medicine said in a statement Tuesday that it is deeply committed to the South Side, citing its emergency rooms, burn unit and children's trauma center. But we also believe all our patients deserve to have the chance to benefit from our expertise in treating very complex disorders, in their own communities, the university said in the statement, adding that developing a Level 1 adult trauma center would be a massive undertaking that could hurt other Cook County trauma centers. <\/p>\n
According to plans filed with the review board, the 120,000-square-foot facility in Orland Park would offer specialized treatment in radiation oncology, with 80 exam rooms for other medical specialties, including orthopedics, women's health, pediatrics, cardiology and surgical consulting. <\/p>\n
Review board approval was the final regulatory hurdle for the project, which is expected to break ground this fall and open in 2016, said Lorna Wong, a University of Chicago Medicine spokeswoman. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here: <\/p>\n
U. of C. Medicine gets state approval to build Orland Park outpatient center<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" University of Chicago Medicine has received state approval to build a $66.9 million outpatient center in Orland Park and spend $123.5 million to develop the third and fourth floor of its flagship hospital in Hyde Park. The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted unanimously Wednesday in favor of the Orland Park project despite criticism that it could hurt other southwest suburban hospitals with similar specialties. A lot of sick people and parents of sick people don't want to spend an hour and a half on the Dan Ryan, review board member Philip Bradley said. Continue reading