Immediate plans for the hospital campus, on Moross at Mack Avenue, includes construction of an eight-level 288,000-sf North Pavilion to include:

• Building a new main entrance with atrium lobby adjacent to convenient parking.
• Consolidating outpatient diagnostic services including X-ray, MRI, CT scan and lab services.
• Adding of 144 private rooms.
• Upgrading and consolidated cardiovascular institute, with catheterization labs, electrophysiology labs, vascular labs, special procedure rooms, recovery space and offices for research and education.

Taylor says part of the project, to be completed by 2008, will cost about $141 million. Another project, a $15-million, 30,000-sf expansion of the emergency department, will double the size of that department and is expected to be completed by 2009.

"This ambitious effort will enhance our ability to provide leading edge technology and services in our specialty areas, including cardiovascular care, cancer, surgery and emergency medicine. The plan also provides flexibility in meeting the changing needs of the facility and patients we serve," Taylor says.

The health system said funding for the improvements will be generated from St. John Hospital's retained earnings, a bond offering through its parent company Ascension Health, as well as philanthropic contributions.