Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s New Inpatient Hospital Tower Nears Completion with $50 Million Donation
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Massive Inpatient Tower Nears Completion
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is on the verge of completing its largest capital project in history – a $1.9 billion inpatient hospital tower that is 75% through its construction phase and expected to open in the spring of 2026.
The new tower is a marvel of engineering, boasting enough steel to build two Eiffel Towers, twice as much concrete as Ohio Stadium, and enough piping and wiring to stretch to Phoenix and Zanesville to Glendale, Arizona, respectively. Dr. Andrew Thomas, Chief Clinical Officer, and Senior Associate VP for Health Sciences, described the project as a “feat of engineering.”
The recent announcement of a $50 million donation by the Wolfe family, one of the largest charitable gifts in the health system’s history, has further propelled the project forward. The hospital will name two prominent spaces after the Wolfes: The John F. Wolfe Lobby and the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads.
The new hospital tower aims to better connect services across the medical campus, offering flexible and team-based care that centers around patients and their families. With an interdisciplinary focus supporting academics, research, and clinical care, the hospital will feature a second-floor common space, the Wolfe Foundation Crossroads, serving as an epicenter of the facility.
The majority of the tower will consist of upwards of 820 single-patient rooms, designed with inspiration from hospitals around the country. Natural light, expansive windows, interactive monitors, and cameras for easy communication with doctors are just a few of the features that will enhance the patient experience.
With Central Ohio expected to grow by nearly 1 million people in the next 20 years, the new hospital tower is poised to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services. The top three floors will be dedicated to women’s care, labor, and delivery, with express elevators from the lobby to provide quick access for laboring mothers.
As the project nears completion, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s new inpatient hospital tower stands as a testament to innovation and progress in healthcare infrastructure.