UNC Health Blue Ridge’s “Project Forward” initiative marks one of the largest expansion projects in its history. In development since 2020, the plan called for the design and development of a new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Department (ED) on the Morganton campus and a new Cancer Center on the Valdese campus (see page).

With facilities dating back to 1983, the $118M project called for a new ED, ICU, rooftop helipad, and three (3) additional vacant floors reserved for future expansion, to nearly double the hospital’s capacity. The new ICU increased capacity from 16 to 30 across 35,964 SF, the ED from 25 to 29 treatment rooms across their own 39,721 SF floor (including four (4) trauma rooms), and the ambulance entrance was relocated to the back of the building. The new ED was designed to have a dedicated Fast Track area, consult/grief rooms, and a more extensive waiting area. To eliminate patients awaiting transport to or from the facility being shuttled by ambulance to the landing pad behind the hospital, a heated rooftop helipad with its own fire suppression system was also incorporated.

Photos: DLR Group