Following a decade of planning and three years of preparation and construction, Detroit-based Henry Ford Health leaders and local officials have opened the new $265-million Janet & Jim Riehl North Tower at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township.
The five-story, 225,000-square-foot facility features all private patient rooms and a state-of-the art healing and work environment. The tower, which connects to the existing hospital, represents the largest expansion project since the hospital was built in 1975, and the largest health care investment in Macomb County history.
“This new patient tower is transforming the landscape of our Macomb hospital campus and will provide a technologically advanced, modernized medical setting for our team members, patients and their families alike,” says Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health.
“This investment in our community represents Henry Ford Health’s deeply rooted commitment to providing our Henry Ford family with the comfort, privacy, and safety they so deserve in a healing environment that’s responsive to their needs.”
The new tower’s 160 private patient rooms were designed with extensive feedback from patients, families, physicians, nurses, and the community at large, and are adaptable to meet patients’ diverse needs.
Features include a spacious, comfortable environment with large windows that promote natural light, blackout window shades that can be controlled from the bedside, enlarged toilet and shower rooms with sliding door access, a guest couch that can convert to a sleeping surface, large televisions, in-room patient sitter cameras, a safe to store valuable, and more. Each room includes illuminated backlit artwork on the headwall.
There are also rooms on each floor designed specifically to accommodate patients with disabilities, patients of size, and patients with unique needs requiring a more secure environment.
Hospital intensive care beds will increase from 48 to 60 with the opening of the new tower, and all 160 of the new patient rooms can convert to intensive care rooms as critical care demand accelerates through the coming years. The tower also features comfortable visitor lounges on each floor and staff-only areas with a lounge, conference room, locker room, quiet room, and lactation room.
“We are where we are today — taking this historic and transformative step in Macomb County because of the community’s trust, belief, and support of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. We do not take that trust for granted,” says Barbara Rossman, president and CEO of Henry Ford Macomb Hospital.
“With this new tower, we’ve created a holistic environment reflective of the many cultures and communities in and around Macomb County that we have the honor and privilege to serve. It is very gratifying to see this project finally come to life.”
The full scope of the project includes a redesigned north entrance, expansion of the existing powerhouse and loading dock, roadway improvements, and a new secure staff parking lot to address campus parking needs.
In addition to the hundreds of skilled trades who were employed during construction, more than 30 full-time equivalent positions in nursing, pharmacy, plant operations, supply chain, security, patient transport, environmental services, food and nutrition services, and information services have been added to fully staff the new tower.
Architectural engineering for the project was provided by AECOM and construction management services were provided by Barton Malow Dixon. Site work began in late 2020, and tower construction began in summer 2021.
“We are profoundly grateful for the generous donations that helped to make this new patient tower possible, including a naming gift by community stewards and philanthropists Janet & Jim Riehl of Friendly Automotive Group,” says Mary Jane Vogt, executive vice president and chief development officer at Henry Ford Health.
In partnership with the Anton Art Center, the hospital’s Healing Arts program issued a Call for Art in February 2023. More than 270 Michigan-based artists, most from Macomb County, submitted more than 1,300 works of art. More than 200 pieces were purchased and are displayed throughout the new north tower.
Michigan artist Doug Jones was commissioned to create the artwork that hangs in the new north lobby. Working with the Anton Art Center, Jones engaged community members at creation sessions held at local events throughout the summer and fall of 2022, using his collaborative PIXEL technique.
“We know that art can reduce feelings of anxiety and inspire feelings of calmness. That’s why we were so purposeful in our selection of artwork for the new tower,” says Rossmann. “We also saw this as a chance to support local artists and help build the arts community in Macomb County and Michigan.”
Up next is a Grand Opening Celebration fundraiser on May 12. The gala event includes a strolling dinner and live entertainment. To purchase tickets, visit here.
To learn more about the new tower, visit here.
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital provides acute and tertiary care, including advanced level emergency and trauma services. Specialty services include heart and vascular, cancer, a birthing center, an inpatient rehabilitation unit and advanced neuroscience, spine, and orthopedic care.
The hospital also features minimally invasive surgery and diagnostic imaging services and capabilities. More than 1,000 physicians and 3,000 employees care for nearly 20,00 inpatients each year, with more than 57,000 emergency visits in 2022.
