More health-care news: B5, B6

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) has topped off its new health campus off Route 33 along Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township. The three-building facility is expected to open in Summer 2021.

The last steel beam was placed for Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hecktown Oaks, which will include a 106,000-square-foot, two-story hospital; 35,000-square-foot Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute and 61,000-square-foot medical office building.

Bob Begliomini, Senior Vice President of Operations and President of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg, told LVHN’s first virtual steel beam topping-off ceremony June 12 that construction of the campus is a response to demand for LVHN care in Northampton County:

“As we reach the topping-off milestone, we are well on our way to bringing exceptional Lehigh Valley Health Network services to Northampton County, services requested and sought out by residents of the county.”

Before it was hoisted, carrying the traditional American flag and small evergreen tree for good luck, the beam was signed virtually as LVHN colleagues provided digital signatures that were included on a large vinyl sticker affixed to the beam.

According to Begliomini, nearly one-third of Northampton County residents receive health-care services from an LVHN provider.

During the last seven years, the number of visits from Northampton County residents to Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG) providers increased 91 percent.

In fiscal year 2018, LVPG had more than 430,000 visits from Northampton County residents.

The health campus will expand services that LVHN and Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital already provide in the county.

LVH - Hecktown Oaks’ two-story hospital will look and feel different than a typical high-rise institution and will offer easier navigation.

A healing garden will provide patients and visitors a peaceful place to connect with nature and pause and reflect. The goal is to create a calming, comforting environment that will help people feel at ease and heal better.

The campus will contain leading-edge equipment for innovative treatments and telemedicine technology to make care more convenient.

The hospital will include an emergency room for adults and children, with an area dedicated for children.

Private patient rooms will have natural light and feature views of the healing garden.

State-of-the-art operating suites and services provided by Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, along with advanced imaging services, will be in the new hospital.

The medical office building will provide primary and specialty care, including a Joint and Spine Center, comprehensive care from Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, rehabilitation services, and care provided by Breast Health Services.

Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute will offer infusion services and access to clinical trials through its membership in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, as well as multidisciplinary clinic care for oncology patients.