UI Health Care welcomes first patients to new North Liberty campus
University of Iowa Health Care’s North Liberty campus is now open.
Early Monday morning, the North Liberty campus welcomed its first patients, marking the beginning of a new era in UI Health Care’s mission to increase access to health care for all Iowans. Located at the corner of Forevergreen Road and Highway 965 in North Liberty, the facility is UI Health Care’s first newly constructed hospital away from the university campus.
The highly anticipated opening provides community members with more convenient access to UI Health Care services, including comprehensive orthopedics and emergency care. Hundreds of patients are expected to be seen at the new campus on opening day.
Georgia Havlicek, 20, of Solon, was one of the first patients this morning. A soccer player for Central College, she was impressed by the medical center. “It’s really nice,” says Havlicek. “There were a lot of friendly faces as I walked in, which is nice to see.”
The North Liberty campus is now home to the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, which includes UI Sports Medicine, a large indoor and outdoor physical therapy/rehab gym, and the Orthopedic Injury Walk-In Clinic. The campus also includes an emergency department, retail pharmacy with the area’s only 24-hour drive-thru service, advanced diagnostic imaging, plus durable medical equipment, clinical lab services, a cafeteria, and other amenities.
“This new campus reflects our vision and commitment to creating greater access to specialized care and services for all Iowans,” says Denise Jamieson, MD, MPH, UI vice president for medical affairs and the Tyrone D. Artz Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. “I’m proud that this new facility will provide a level of world-class orthopedic care with convenience for patients that we haven’t had in Iowa before.”
UI Health Care is transitioning the majority of orthopedics clinic appointments and surgeries from university campus to the new medical campus in North Liberty. In addition to patients seeking the full spectrum of orthopedic care services available at the new campus, UI Health Care estimates more than 10,000 patients could come through its new emergency department within the first year.
“Our goal is to create an exceptional and seamless experience for patients at the North Liberty campus,” says Amy O’Deen, BSN, MHA, chief administrative officer for the North Liberty campus. “From the beginning, we have been very thoughtful in how we planned this facility, always keeping the patient perspective in mind. I think patients will be impressed with all of the services and amenities that we will offer.”
An FAQ article is available online with updates on services offered, transportation, research capabilities, project details, and more.