Norman Regional Hospital Opening New Center

By Jennifer Pierce, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Norman Regional Hospital will open its new campus off Interstate 35 in July, which will give metro residents another option for healthcare.

Construction is moving right along on Norman Regional Hospital's Healthplex project. The concrete, metal and drywall will soon transform into a modern day health facility.

"One of the things that is unique is right across from the nurse's station is a play area," said Daryle Voss with the Norman Regional Hospital Healthplex.

Patients will fill the rooms to receive the latest in orthopedic, spine and heart care. But it's not just another hospital, the well-planned design had healing in mind.

"One of the things we focused on in the design process is what they call 'Evidence based design' for healing. That means accommodations for visitors, things like room service, water features, a lot of natural light, all those things help people get better," Voss said.

Hospital officials chose Interstate 35 and Tecumseh Road to build Norman's newest hospital because it's right by the I-35 corridor so it's visible, accessible and there's plenty of room for growth.

"We really wanted to enhance our ability to get to the community," Voss said. "We are going to have a new footprint in the Norman area for health services for another 50 years," Voss said.

The new hospital will also contribute to the economic health of Norman by providing about 100 new jobs to the area.