Hospital project receives approval

Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002 | 9:47 a.m.

The North Las Vegas City Council amended a site plan Wednesday night for the 208-bed Meadows Hospital Medical Center that covers 40 acres.

The community hospital itself will take up about 14 acres and is expected to open in the fall of 2004 with 120 beds.

The council voted unanimously in favor of the project with no discussion.

The hospital at the northwest corner of Tropical Parkway and Losee Road could serve an estimated 8,000 homes being developed by Del Webb Corp. and American Nevada Corp., said Chief Executive Officer Ernie Libman.

"The growth has happened at an unprecedented rate," Libman said after the meeting.

In about five years, two medical office buildings, assisted living facilities and a group care home could open, said Michael Walsh, who will be chief operating officer. The hospital rooms will expand depending on growth.

The hospital will feature all private rooms, a full service emergency room, 12 operating rooms and a staff of 500.

Local real estate developer John McDonald, veterinarian Dr. David Crowe and developer Fletcher Majors are the principals behind the project.

Libman has been a hospital administrator for more than 40 years. He was development director at Sunrise Hospital before becoming CEO at Nathan Adelson Hospice in 1980. Two years later he was named CEO of Valley Hospital and managed Valley until 1991. He then became CEO at Lake Mead Hospital.

Walsh has worked in health care for 32 years. He most recently served as chief operating officer at Summerlin Hospital.

Terry Allen will serve as business development director. He spent nine years at Lake Mead Hospital, serving as associate administrator, business development director and home health care administrator.