UM health affairs committee looking to announce $70 million renovation and expansion projects

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

On Thursday, the Health Affairs Committee for the University of Missouri  met to talk about renovations and expansion at the university.

The projects are expected to cost nearly $70 million.

One of several projects the committee is looking to discuss includes budgeting around $51 million for renovations to its medical science building. By the winter of 2025 or 2026, the health committee hopes to create a more modern lab area and increase the number of scientists in the medical building from 45 to 58.  

Additional committee projects:

• Building a new area for neuroscience and reproductive biology researchers
• $232 million children's hospital currently being built
• Grand opening for children's hospital set for summer of 2024
• Therapy clinic at the Thompson Center

An update was provided to the board regarding the construction of the new children's hospital.

As of now, the construction is on track with a grand-opening set to be held in the summer of 2024.

Along with being on track to open, they are also staying within their budget of $232 million dollars.

Construction crews are building a connection between the children's hospital to the east side of the patient care tower at university hospital.

Right now, there is only a 12 inch gap between the two buildings.

According to a board member, there will be multiple efforts to reduce noise for patients currently in the hospital.

These include white noise machines, ear plugs, noise cancelling earmuffs and a list of apps focused on relaxation.

There are three steps that need to happen for both hospitals to be connected.

The first is an infection control barrier placed to stop contaminants from entering and exiting the hospital.

Second, a temporary wall will be built.

Finally, the exterior wall of the hospital must be removed before connecting both buildings.

The completion of the children's hospital structure was completed on Jan. 18th.

The committee's idea to build a therapy clinic will be presented to the board for approval as early as next week. 

Other ideas the committee has in mind include strengthening faculty recruitment and retention, strategic investments in research, and building a nursing workforce to meet the demands of diverse communities.  

The UM Board of Curators Health Affairs Committee met Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m.