Group Health Breaking New Ground in Bellevue

Specialty Center Set to Open 2008 Group Health Cooperative (www.ghc.org) recently celebrated the groundbreaking of its new $125 million specialty center at the corner of NE 8th and 116th Ave. NE in Bellevue, Wash. The nearly 200,000-square-foot specialty center will serve more than 95,000 Group Health patients who live and work along the I-405 corridor. The center will house physician offices in 20 different specialties, including primary care, and will feature operating rooms for day surgery, diagnostic imaging, and 24-hour services for acute care and most emergencies. "This project is extremely important in terms of providing expanded, state-of-the-art health care access to the people of Bellevue and the region, and to our city's continued economic development and growth," said Bellevue Mayor Grant Degginger. "Great cities need great medical facilities. This new facility will ensure that remains a reality here in Bellevue and takes us to the next level." Group Health patients will have access to more than 20 specialty areas and additional services including: -- Outpatient surgery -- Women's health care -- Cardiology -- Sports medicine and orthopedics -- Cancer treatment center -- Imaging services (CT, X-ray, MRI, and more) -- Pharmacy -- Lab -- Retail stores for hearing aids, eyewear, and health and wellness products "This is a great step forward for Group Health staff and the patients we serve in East King County," said Scott Armstrong, president and CEO of Group Health. "It's so rare to be able to start from scratch and build a new medical center designed specifically around what patients need and houses the latest in technology and medical equipment." Group Health's specialty center will be adjacent and connected by a passageway to Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue. In 2008, Group Health's Eastside patients requiring inpatient care will be admitted to Overlake Hospital, where their Group Health physician will be on staff. "This highly visible, easy-to-find location next to Overlake Hospital will give Group Health's patients convenient access to their medical care in a new facility designed around their needs," said Jill Ostrem, vice president of Eastside for Group Health. The architects for the Group Health specialty center are Ellerbe Becket and Northwest Architectural Company. The general contractor is M.A. Mortenson. The principles of the Green Guide for Health Care(TM) are being incorporated in the building design. The guide supports eco-friendly construction including use of high performing, renewable resources, and energy-efficient operations in health care facilities.