San Diego-based Scripps Health is planning a $2.6 billion expansion — the largest construction project in the organization's 125-year history.
The expansion will include constructing a $1.3 billion replacement hospital for Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego; a new seven-story patient tower for San Diego-based Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla; and a three-story acute care structure at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas (Calif.). In addition, seismic retrofitting construction is planned for Scripps Mercy Chula Vista (Calif.) and Scripps Green Hospital in San Diego.
"This is our vision to build the health care system of the future — starting today," said Chris Van Gorder, Scripps president and CEO. "Our focus is on delivering the right care in the right setting that reflects the changing health care needs of the communities we serve across the San Diego region."
Scripps Health will also build two Scripps MD Anderson outpatient cancer centers in a move to deepen its affiliation with Houston-based MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The expansion projects, none of which break ground until 2021, will be financed by operating revenues, borrowing and fundraising.
"As systems look to the coming decades, they are forced to make big bold choices now. Do they want to still be dominant systems in 25 years and how much investment in structure and building is needed to remain a great system. This reflects a bold exciting choice by Scripps and its leadership," said Scott Becker, JD, publisher of Becker's Hospital Review.