New trauma center rises in Dallas on day of 9-11 remembrance

DALLAS, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On a day dedicated to remembering selfless sacrifice and helping those in critical need of care, Methodist Dallas Medical Center broke ground to mark the beginning of a crucial new facility - the new six-story $108 million Charles A. Sammons Trauma and Critical Care Tower at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

Methodist Dallas Medical Center President Laura Irvine welcomed the crowd of over 200 which included Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief Louie Bright, III, and Dallas Police Chief David O. Brown in addition to Methodist Health System representatives, donors, and community leaders.

"As a trauma center and safety-net hospital, Methodist Dallas Medical Center is here to help people in their most critical moments of need," said Irvine, "Most of the 60,000 patients who visit our emergency department every year and certainly the 1500 trauma patients did not plan their visit. It is our mission to stand ready to care for them no matter how complex their injury or illness."

Scheduled for completion in summer 2014, the one-of-a-kind 248,000-square-foot trauma and critical care center will expand the hospital's emergency department ten-fold and include: 58 new emergency room beds, six trauma suites, eight surgical suites, a 36-bed critical care unit, and the ability to expand to 11 stories for future growth.

"Southern Dallas is vital to the future growth of the City of Dallas," stated Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. "Methodist invested in Southern Dallas over 85 years ago, recommitted itself to Southern Dallas in 1990 with what is now the Schenkel Tower, and today is the first Southern Dallas County organization to make this kind of investment – over $100 million - in recent years."

The expansion will be supported by a historic $20 million capital campaign. The BrightER campaign in support of the Charles A. Sammons Trauma and Critical Care Tower at Methodist Dallas will be the most ambitious in Methodist's 85-year history. A $5 million lead gift was contributed by the Sammons Dallas Foundation. April Box Chamberlain, president and CEO of the Methodist Health System Foundation, recognized the significant contribution of the Sammons Dallas Foundation, and introduced BrightER Campaign Honorary Chairs Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt, and Campaign Chairman Chris Kleinert.

"Methodist is fortunate to have families like the Sammons and the Hunts with a legacy of support for our mission – generation after generation," said Chamberlain, "So as we look to the bright future of Methodist and the patients we serve, we also looked to the new generation of philanthropic and civic leaders to join and lead us in this campaign. Chris and his committee epitomize the next generation of leaders in Dallas."

BrightER Campaign Chair Chris Kleinert recognized the campaign committee and announced a $1 million gift from The Robert S. Folsom Family, a $1 million gift from Pete and Pat Schenkel, and more than $750,000 in honor of the late Norman Brinker, bringing the campaign $9 million toward the ultimate $20 million goal.

He then introduced a dramatic video illustrating the impact of Methodist Dallas on the City and concluded, "Our theme for this historic campaign is: BrightER -- Saving lives, Serving Dallas. The first responders, physicians, caregivers, volunteers, and community leaders -- each one of you here today make Dallas brighter. And together with Methodist Dallas Medical Center, we have the opportunity to make a lasting mark on our community and help create a city that is a safer, healthier, and better than any of us could ever dream."

About Methodist Health System

Guided by the founding principles of life, learning, and compassion, Methodist Health System (Methodist) provides quality, integrated care to improve and save the lives of individuals and families throughout North Texas. Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Health Center, and Methodist Family Health Centers are part of the nonprofit Methodist Health System, which is affiliated by covenant with the North Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Additional information is available at www.MethodistHealthSystem.org. Connect with them on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter at www.MethodistHealthSystem.org/SocialMedia.

About Methodist Dallas

Methodist Dallas Medical Center is a 515-bed hospital located just south of downtown Dallas. The medical center serves as the teaching and referral center for Methodist Health System. Physicians trained at medical schools from across the United States and all over the world participate in Methodist Dallas' residency programs in internal medicine, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Designated as a Level II trauma center, Methodist Dallas is a crucial part of the Dallas County trauma plan. The hospital provides a high level of tertiary-care services, including adult trauma care, multi-organ transplant services, nationally rated high-risk infant care, and neuro-critical care. The hospital is a primary recipient of trauma occurring within southwest Dallas and the surrounding region, treating more than 1,500 trauma patients and over 60,000 emergency patients each year from a 150-mile radius. The hospital's existing 25,000-square-foot Emergency/Trauma Center was last renovated in 1999.  

SOURCE Methodist Dallas Medical Center