Henderson to get second St. Rose hospital

Art Nadler

Thursday, June 26, 1997 | 11:48 a.m.

St. Rose Dominican Hospital announced today it plans to build a second hospital in Henderson to handle a rapidly expanding population.

Work is expected to begin on the first $55 million phase in mid-1998, with completion scheduled within a year. The second $55 million phase should be completed by 2006.

"When the Adrian Dominican Sisters began St. Rose 50 years ago, we assured the community that we would always be uncompromising in our commitment to compassionate, high-quality, affordable care," said Rod Davis, president and chief executive officer.

"Our commitment is as strong as ever, as we plan this new facility to meet the future needs of our rapidly expanding population."

Henderson's population is expected to increase 58 percent within 10 years, city planners estimate. St. Rose increased admissions by 77 percent in the last four years, according to Ann Barron, director of economic development for the city.

The 300-bed hospital will be built at Lake Mead Drive and Eastern Avenue, eight miles west of the existing St. Rose campus.

Phase one will create 600 jobs and generate an annual payroll of $20 million. This employment increase is expected to generate $100 million for Henderson.

The new west campus will feature state-of-the-art technologies, including updated information and communications systems to better serve patients.

The facility will embrace a holistic approach to medicine, incorporating and personalizing a patient's experience at the hospital.

"St. Rose has served Henderson and neighboring communities for half a century as the only nonprofit, nontax-supported hospital in Southern Nevada," said Richard Kramer, president and chief executive officer of Catholic Healthcare West, St. Rose's parent organization.

"We are proud of the leadership of St. Rose for taking the initiative to position the organization to meet the health care needs of the next century."

St. Rose Dominican's existing campus also will undergo a $25 million expansion and renovation to complement the new hospital.

The west campus was designed by HKS Inc. of Dallas, which designed more than 300 health-care facilities.

The complex will have a noninstitutional ambience supportive of the healing process. The interior will emphasize positive emotions through use of art, flowers, nature and music.

St. Rose Dominican Hospital is a member of Catholic Healthcare West, a system of hospitals, ancillary facilities, home care and physician organizations in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Last year, the system provided more than $174 million in free or low-cost community benefits and care for the poor.

Catholic Healthcare West has access to more than 6,000 physicians and 37 hospitals with $4.4 billion in assets and revenues of $2.7 billion.