UM BWMC Holds Ceremony to Formally Announce Construction of New Outpatient Care Building

Glen Burnie, MD — Yesterday the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (UM BWMC) held a 'beam topping' ceremony to formally announce construction of a new outpatient care office building that will expand services to patients and the community. Completion of the project is expected in late 2021.

Prior to the ceremony, UM BWMC staff members were able to sign their names on the beam as a momento prior to it being lifted and fastened into place. This signifies that the framing of the building has been completed and the next round of construction can begin.

"The building is another example of UM BWMC's continued growth to meet the needs of our patients and community members who rely on us for their health care needs," said UM BWMC President and CEO Karen Olscamp. "It will allow our patients more convenient access to our services and provide our community a place where they can be educated by and participate in activities that keeps them healthy."

The five-story, 101,000 square-foot building is located on UM BWMC medical campus. It will house expanded outpatient practices for diabetes and endocrinology, vascular, neurosciences, and orthopaedics. It will also include a new retail pharmacy, community wellness center for health education and overall well-being, an employee learning center, and a state-of the-art simulation lab for workforce development and clinical training opportunities.

"With the new wellness center, community members will now have a dedicated place where they can meet for support groups, attend educational seminars, participate in health screenings and engage in exercise classes all under one roof," said UM BWMC Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Kathy McCollum. "The simulation laboratory provides caregivers with advanced, interactive training tools to help them prepare for the complexities in treating patients who need highly-specialized care."

The total cost of the project is $43.8 million, which includes the construction of the building, an enclosed walkway from the outpatient center to the main hospital, and the expansion of the employee parking garage and lot with 380 additional spaces.

"The building will serve as both a place where people can come to have their health care needs met and have opportunities to attend health classes and seminars to learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle," Olscamp said. "Keeping our patients and community healthy is our most important job and this new building will help us to further achieve this goal."