VILSECK, Germany -- The construction of a new $34.7 million facility here is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony Friday signaled the beginning of a two-year project designed to build a state-of-the-art health facility for beneficiaries in the Bavarian Military Community.
The new 41,900 square-foot outpatient health clinic addition will be add onto the existing 11,500 square-foot medical facility.
"Despite the dark economic challenges we are facing as a nation, this project is a bright spot and an exciting future for us to look forward to in aspiring to trust and service," said Lt. Col. Chris Rheney, Vilseck Health Clinic commander. "Evidence Based Design principles were incorporated in the design and will improve the healing environment for the 9,400 patients in the Rose Barracks community."
The features include maximized exposure to natural light, three landscaped courtyards, better sound absorption for quieter spaces, a comfortable and ergonomic furniture package, smaller waiting areas, and timesaving self-service kiosks for patients, Rheney said.
"My appreciation goes to all the planners and designers from the German Bauamt and the Army engineer team, who not only found great ways to design new space for our medical needs, but also implemented new energy efficiency standards, which becomes even more important in times of limited budgets," said Col. James Saenz, U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr commander. "The expansion of the Rose Barracks Health Clinic will greatly improve our quality health care services."
Engineers, dignitaries and commanders hollowed out a small piece of dirt with shovels to symbolize the beginning of the project.
"This groundbreaking demonstrates an exciting future for the Vilseck Health Clinic as we take new processes like the Patient and Soldier Centered Medical Home and combine them into one facility for a team based approach to primary care, behavioral health, rehab and specialty care," Rheney said, "leveraging new technology like telemedicine and the electronic health record for even better quality in developing a coordinated, proactive system of health for our community."
The current clinic opened in December 1989 at a cost of $3.8 million, Rheney said. The final phase of the project is scheduled to be complete in 2016.
Social Sharing