Mercy Southwest raises highest beam for new Hardt Foundation Tower
Leaders and staff of Dignity Health Mercy Hospital Southwest and the Friends of Mercy Foundation gathered Tuesday as the final beam was placed on the highest point of the new Hardt Foundation Tower.
It represents progress on the significant hospital expansion, expected to be complete in 2025, and bears the signatures of employees, donors and board members.
“This is an important milestone that was made possible by the generosity of our community, donors and employees,” said BJ Predum, president and CEO of Mercy Hospitals. “The topping off of the Hardt Foundation Tower is not just about reaching new heights in the construction of our new patient tower project, but elevating care for our growing community. Every beam is a promise and a commitment to the future of medical services in Bakersfield.”
With $15 million in donations from the community, and $400,000 from Mercy Hospital employees, the building is set to include new private patient rooms and services, with the goal of advancing health care delivery west of Highway 99.
Mercy Hospital Southwest has pledged to bring new jobs to the area, hiring additional physicians, specialists, nurses, and other clinical and non-clinical staff.
This new tower is set to include 106 private patient rooms, the David and Catherine Gay Family Intensive Care Unit with 24 rooms, the Wright Family Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit with 18 private rooms, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suites, expanded neurosurgery capabilities, six additional state-of-the-art operating rooms, the Drs. Ravi and Naina Patel Oncology Floor, the Beverly Camp Women’s Cancer Program, the Pandol Main Lobby in honor of Jack and Winifred Pandol and Don and Izetta Camp, an expanded emergency department, the Leonard Anton Bidart and Family Surgery Waiting Area, additional parking and a campus redesign.