Plans for second Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah
Jan 21, 2020, 2:25 PM
File photo: Intermountain Healthcare
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The crown jewel in plans unveiled by Intermountain Healthcare on Tuesday is a new Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi, Utah.
The new Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah is part of Intermountain Healthcare’s “model health system,” where Intermountain will devote $500 million, or more, to pediatric-specific projects, programs and facilities.
Officials say the campus will include a five-story, 66-bed hospital that will offer a number of different services.
“We’ll have trauma, an emergency room, intensive care unit, medical-surgical floors,” said Katy Welkie, VP of Intermountain’s Children’s Health. “Excitingly, both out-patient and in-patient behavioral health.”
Strategic selection of new Primary Children’s Hospital location
There is no word yet on when construction will begin or where exactly the new Primary Children’s Hospital campus will be built, but Utah County was strategically selected.
“A county where the population is growing so quickly that, by 2040, there will be more kids in Utah County than there [are] in Salt Lake County,” she explains.
Intermountain Healthcare has announced plans for a second Primary Children’s Hospital campus to be constructed in Lehi. pic.twitter.com/pyR3TVjE2T
— John Wojcik (@JWojcikKSL) January 21, 2020
New Primary Children’s Hospital location boosted by Miller
A major boost that helped the project to get off the ground was provided by Gail Miller.
The businesswoman, civic leader, and philanthropist announced she’s donating a $50-million gift towards the effort.
“They know that for a young mother the need is great to have the people caring for your children understand you and what you’re going through,” says Miller.
“This is just the beginning of a healthier future,” she explained.
Changes coming to existing Primary Children’s Hospital
Another component of the overall project is strengthening the existing Primary Children’s Hospital.
To do that, the organization will build an advanced fetal care center, enhance its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and expand its cancer treatment center.
Additionally, a teen-to-adult transition program will help children with serious conditions access care as they grow into adulthood.
