Children’s hospital proposed at UMC

Adrienne Packer

Tuesday, March 7, 2000 | 11:29 a.m.

University Medical Center administrators have embarked on a proposal that could bring the Clark County-operated facility a full-fledged children's hospital.

Clark County recently paid Magellan Research about $17,000 to survey residents and determine whether the community is interested in the UMC expansion, which is expected to cost about $80 million.

Magellan representatives cited a confidentiality policy and declined to discuss the results of the survey, which was conducted in late February.

While the survey contract lists Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny as the customer who requested the survey, Magellan said it was Bill Hale, UMC's chief executive officer, who asked for the study.

UMC officials refused to discuss the proposal, saying it was premature. They also declined to talk about the need for a children's hospital or where children are currently treated.

Kenny, who is also the chairwoman of the UMC board, said the county is serious about the project and will seek the entire board's approval during its March 21 meeting.

"We're committed to building a children's hospital at UMC," she said. "There are children who need care at all economic levels. There are people who can't pay for surgeries."

Kenny said the children's hospital would be built on the hospital's "campus" on Charleston Boulevard. The county would have to negotiate for space, she added.

Clark County is one of only a handful of large metropolitan areas that does not have a public children's hospital. The privately operated Sunrise Hospital is the only other facility in the county that serves children specifically.

"We have always planned for a children's hospital," Kenny said. "About a year ago we realized this needed to be accelerated."

If the UMC board approves the project, it will be placed on the November general election ballot. Kenny said she hopes the facility can be build with tax-neutral bonds.