UHS Wilson Hospital's new Johnson City building unveiling marks 'beginning of a journey'

A ribbon cutting for the new UHS Wilson Main Tower was marked by remarks from local officials, hospital management and a performance from the UHS Choir.

The building, construction on which broke ground in 2022, is the first expansion of UHS Wilson Medical Center in downtown Johnson City in three decades. It stands six stories high, with the final three stories still being completed, and will have a helipad on the roof.

The ribbon cutting comes during National Hospital Week, a yearly occurrence which recognizes and honors hospitals and healthcare employees.

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UHS Wilson Main Tower: What's inside

The 180,000-square-foot building features 120 private rooms for patients, each with their own bathroom. Officials said that in addition to the rooms, the building as a whole is designed for patient comfort and privacy.

The ground floor of the building houses an Emergency Department and Trauma Center, while nursing units will be focused on cardiology, oncology, neuroscience and surgery. The building also houses a new MRI suite, meaning patients won't have to travel across the street if they require an MRI.

In addition, a new parking area will be made available to patients and visitors to the building's Emergency Department and Trauma Center.

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According to UHS President and CEO John Carrigg, the new facility will emphasize patient safety, privacy, access and comfort.

"Today's milestone is not the end of a project — it is the beginning of a journey," said Carrigg. "At UHS, our strategic plans call for us to continually enhance our facilities, our technologies and the programs and services we offer — not just in Johnson City, but across the entire UHS system in the Southern Tier. Our goal is to always improve and expand, benefiting patients and exceeding their expectations for many years to come."

Carrigg said the tower will also draw aspiring healthcare workers to UHS by demonstrating the organization's dedication to healthcare services.

On Saturday, the tower's doors will be open to visitors for a grand preview day. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with guided tours available until 2:30 p.m., as well as refreshments and entertainment provided.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Inside UHS Wilson Hospital's new building: What patients can expect