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As we move forward with the South Tower expansion, University Medical Center remains committed to providing the safest possible environment for our patients and care teams. To protect our transplant patients from environmental disruptions caused by construction taking place on floors 5 and 6, University Medical Center leadership will be temporarily swapping the locations for 5 South and 3 East, effective March 5.

By moving Transplant services to 3 East, we can effectively shield these patients from the dust and noise associated with the upcoming construction activity. General Medicine will transition to 5 South for the duration of this phase. We expect both units to return to their original locations by November 2026.

We recognize that transitions of this scale require extra effort from everyone and we appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time. For common questions related to this move, please see below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which units are moving and where?

• Transplant Services will move from 5 South to 3 East.
• General Medicine will move from 3 East to 5 South.

When does this change take effect?

The move is scheduled for March 5, 2026, at 6 a.m.

Why is this swap necessary?

Major construction is occurring on floors 5 and 6, during which drilling will be taking place. This swap is a proactive safety measure to ensure our transplant patients are not exposed to noise, vibration, or environmental dust during this high-activity phase of the South Tower expansion.

How long will this arrangement last?

This is a temporary relocation. We currently anticipate that both units will return to their original floors in November 2026, pending project progress.

Will bed availability be affected on 3 East?

Yes. To allow construction teams to work safely, portions of 5 South will be closed periodically. As a result, bed capacity on this unit will be limited throughout the project duration. For details, please see below:

• March-May: 22 patient beds
• May-July: 20 patient beds
• July-November: 14 patient beds

Additional details on timing and localized impacts will be communicated as these dates approach.

Will equipment and space between the units be the same? 

Yes, our facilities team has been working with unit leadership to ensure equipment and space is comparable to current working environments.

What is the South Tower Expansion?

Announced in 2025, the South Tower expansion will add three floors of capacity to University Medical Center operations. For details, please read our original announcement on Connect.

Who should I contact with operational questions?

Please direct specific workflow or logistical questions to your unit manager. Additional updates will be shared via email as we approach the move date. The overall project owner for this move is Administrator Becky Lewis.