September 27, 2007 - UC San Diego Medical Center will break ground today for the $171 million Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center, a new 128,000-square-foot facility that includes an expansion of patient care areas of UCSD’s Thornton Hospital, which will unify UCSD’s ambulatory, clinical and inpatient heart and stroke care in one location with construction completion expected in 2010.
The Center’s jewel-box inspired glass design integrates more than 20 examination rooms, four cardiac catheterization labs, four cardiac-sized operating rooms sized to accommodate complex cardiac cases, 24 intensive care and intermediate care beds, expanded imaging labs, enhanced clinical research facilities, and an expanded Emergency Department with a total of 18 private exam stations. Meticulously planned and tested, each room has been created to maximize cardiac care in a welcoming family-friendly environment.
“Thanks to the generosity of the community, UCSD is now able to bring together patient care, clinical research and training programs into one state-of-the-art facility where patients will have convenient access to today’s most sought after diagnostic and treatment options for heart and stroke care,” said Anthony DeMaria, M.D., director of the Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center.
One of the distinguishing facets of the Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center will be the region’s only university-based fellowship training program in clinical cardiology and cardiovascular research. With projections indicating a growing need for heart specialists to care for an aging baby boomer population, the goal of this program is to develop cardiologists with advanced experience who are committed to becoming accomplished scholars and leaders.
For more information: www.ucsd.edu