Why is UNM Hospital expanding?
Our community is growing and our services must expand to meet the ever-increasing need of New Mexicans.  The current facility, which was built in 1954, is not equipped to handle most of today's technology, which is a vital part of health care in the 21st century.  The facility is also too small to meet the needs of our patients.   This new facility will enable our physicians and nurses to provide New Mexicans with the most advanced care available.

Why are we doing this now?
The short answer is because our patients need it.  Actually, the expansion project has been in the planning stages for several years.  Because of the complexity of the project, the planning process was fairly extensive.  Now that we have completed planning and funding, we are anxious to see construction on the new building begin.

How will the expansion affect the existing building?
The UNM Children's Hospital & Critical Care Pavilion will be an extension of the existing hospital.  Some of the services currently offered in the existing hospital will be moved to the new space.

How much space will be added to UNMH?
The 476,555 square foot expansion will provide six new floors of clinical space.  The expansion project includes a maternity center, newborn intensive care unit, adult critical care units, emergency and trauma services, private patient rooms, and two dedicated floors for UNM Children's Hospital.  The new hospital will stand 120 feet off the ground.   (For details on how the space will be used, please see the UNMH Expansion Project Fact Sheet).

Will it cost more for me to be seen at UNMH after the expansion?
As a patient you will benefit from the improved facility, but the cost of the expansion will not be passed onto you.  However, scheduled rate increase will occur when appropriate.

When will construction begin?
Construction began October 13, 2004.

When will the project be completed?
Completion of UNM Children's Hospital and Critical Care Pavilion is expected in late 2007.

How much will it cost and how is it being funded?
The total budget for this project is $233.8 million.  This amount includes building costs, site preparation, architecture and engineering fees, administrative fees, equipment costs, parking and interest.  The project is being funded from the sale of bonds, from hospital operating funds and from philanthropy.

How does the cost of the project affect the hospital's operating budget?
The costs of the capital project are separate from the day-to-day operating budget for the hospital.  Once the new facility is operational, the administration will review the hospital's budgetary requirements and adjust the budget to address the newly expanded needs.

Will hospital services be affected during construction?
No. All of the services offered by UNM Hospitals will continue to be offered throughout the construction project.  However, because of typical delays associated with any construction project, such as parking, we recommend that you allow a little extra time to reach your destination.

Where will I park during construction?
That depends on the reason for your visit.  During construction, UNM Hospital patient parking will be available in the Lomas Parking Garage, just south of the hospital on the UNM campus.  There is a new patient entrance to the hospital on the third floor where the walking bridge from the parking garage meets the hospital.  A Welcome/Information Desk is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you find your way and answer your questions.  Handicapped patients and visitors can park in one of 78 handicapped spaces on the third floor of the Lomas Parking Garage.  An additional 65 handicapped and 10 van accessible parking spaces are located in the OMI/LOT 4.  In addition, we are providing FREE valet service to our patients and families.  This service is located under the Ambulatory Care Center overhang or at the designated patient drop off locations.  We will also provide shuttles in the way of "people movers" or golf carts to help patients and visitors get around the construction.

UNM Cancer Research and Treatment Center patient parking will be available on the ground level of the UNM Hospital West Parking Garage.  Handicapped patients and visitors can park in one of 65 handicapped or 10 van accessible parking spaces located in the OMI/LOT 4.  Shuttles/People Movers are available to take you to and from your vehicle.  Look for the signs to direct you as express shuttles are running 4:30 a.m. until midnight daily.   For more information or to view a map with parking areas, visit http://hospitals.unm.edu click on "Stella" and then click "parking."

Who will build the UNM Children's Hospital & Critical are Pavilion?
The construction project is a joint venture between Jaynes Companies, one of New Mexico's largest construction companies and JE Dunn Construction, the largest commercial contractor in the Kansas City, Kansas.

Who designed UNM Children's Hospital & Critical care Pavilion?
Design Collaborative Southwest (DCSW), an innovative, award-winning architectural design firm located in Albuquerque.  To insure that UNM Children's Hospital & Critical Care Pavilion was inclusive of all of the state's people, a multicultural committee-composed of artists, architects, museum curators, authors, and tribal representatives from across the state- was convened early in the design phase to provide input on the design of the new building.

What will the new hospital look like?
The design of UNM Children's Hospital & Critical Care Pavilion was driven by the desire to create a patient-focused, family-centered healing environment for all New Mexicans.  The design includes elements from all of New Mexico's cultures-past and present.  On the outside, three different materials were used to symbolize the passage of time.  The sandstone on the bottom of the building represents the past; the synthetic stucco in the middle represents the present; and the metal and glass used on the top of the building represent the future.  In the interior, each of the six floors will be based on a theme relating to life and nature in New Mexico, including the land, creation, people, animals, geology and sky.   The floors, walls, and ceilings will be embellished with symbols that represent the state's multicultural population.

What is the economic benefit of this project to New Mexico?
The construction phase of the project will create about 300 new jobs for New Mexicans who work in the construction field.

With the addition of 70 new beds, UNM Hospital will need to hire up to 400 new employees to care for these patients.  These positions will include nurses, technicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, x-ray technicians, paramedics, housekeepers, maintenance workers, food service workers, etc.