Medical center to launch hospital in Bellevue

Roy Holeyfield Jr., M.D., grew up in Bellevue with a love for the community and for medicine, inspired by his father, Roy Holeyfield Sr., M.D.

Six years ago, when the junior Holeyfield was in training in California, father called son and said, “Bellevue really needs a hospital. Let’s build one.”

“I thought he was out of his mind,” the son said about his father.

As it turned out, Dr. Holeyfield’s dad was just a few years ahead of his time. Father and son were able to buy land in Bellevue and put together a coalition of physicians to staff the facility. But they didn’t have the “big player” support they needed until a year ago, when they got letters from Glenn Fosdick, president and CEO of The Nebraska Medical Center, seeking support to build a hospital.

“I called my dad and said, ‘They want to build a hospital.’ He said, ‘Yeah, I told you so.’ ”

Roy Holeyfield Jr., M.D.

The Holeyfields’ vision was confirmed Tuesday as Fosdick and other dignitaries unveiled plans to build the Bellevue Medical Center, a 60-bed hospital at the southwest corner of 25th Street and Highway 370 in Bellevue.

More than 50 community leaders from Bellevue gathered to celebrate with Nebraska Medical Center officials, as well as representatives from UNMC and UNMC Physicians. Gov. Dave Heineman also was on hand to celebrate the news.

Dr. Holeyfield said the Bellevue location is perfect for a new hospital. Between the city itself, Offutt Air Force Base and Plattsmouth, there’s a group of nearly 100,000 people who could take advantage of a facility to provide inpatient care, specialists and diagnostic support not currently available in Bellevue.

Gov. Heineman commended the city of Bellevue for planning for the future.

Gov. Dave Heineman

“The decision to locate this hospital in Sarpy County reflects the need,” Heineman said. “Sarpy County is the fastest-growing county in the state. It is clear the need for medical services is on the rise.”

Over the past 10 years, Bellevue has seen great economic growth, said Jerry Ryan, Bellevue mayor. “But there’s been a big piece missing from the middle of this puzzle. Now it’s filled by Bellevue’s first and only hospital.

“This is a proud day for Bellevue. The city is embracing this wonderful opportunity to step into the future with new energy to keep and attract top medical professionals who will provide excellent care for our citizens. The people of Bellevue are excited that The Nebraska Medical Center has the vision to make this commitment.”

Richard K. Osterholm, M.D., lives in Bellevue, and his children attend Bellevue Public Schools. He highlighted the importance of supporting Offutt Air Force Base in the nation’s defense plan.

Michael Sitorius, M.D., professor and chairman of the UNMC department of family medicine, spoke on behalf of UNMC Physicians. “UNMC is the premier public institution for training health professionals in Nebraska,” he said. By continuing collaborations with Nebraska Medical Center and Offutt Air Force Base, this new hospital also can become a “key training center for Air Force physicians as well.”

“Bellevue Medical Center will provide a natural extension of the extraordinary care our patients have come to expect,” Fosdick said. “It’s already a source of great pride for everyone involved from hospital and community leaders to the talented physicians who are helping make this dream a reality. We’re pleased to be launching this project amid such strong support.”

Bellevue Medical Center will house 200,000 square feet of comprehensive patient services including emergency care, obstetrics, inpatient and outpatient surgery, intensive care, cardiac catheterization, a pharmacy, radiology and lab testing. Current plans allow for 60 private inpatient and observation beds with enough space to add 60 more beds in the future.

Bellevue Medical Center Fast Facts Medical complex will be located at Highway 370 and 25th Street in Bellevue. 60 inpatient and observation beds, all private rooms. Future expansion would allow for 60 additional beds. In addition to general medical services, the hospital will provide labor and delivery care, emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgery and intensive care. Facilities will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic services and equipment, including a cardiac catheterization lab, radiology, lab testing and pharmacy on premises. Medical office building adjacent to hospital will house patient clinics. Total cost for project including medical office building and medical equipment is approaching $90 million. Anticipated completion is October 2008, with groundbreaking expected in late fall 2006.

A new medical office building adds another 60,000 square feet to the project. Located adjacent to the main hospital, it will enhance patient care and convenience by providing additional areas for clinics and offering state-of-the-art diagnostic services to assist physicians in prompt diagnosis and treatment.

“Our physicians and nurses will play a significant role in the design of this facility helping us achieve an environment that’s both functional and inviting – an atmosphere that doesn’t feel like a hospital, but has all the latest technology and safety built in,” said Cindy Arbaugh, project administrator for Bellevue Medical Center. “We are creating a great place to receive care. One that we hope will provide a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit.”

Bellevue’s other main medical facility, Ehrling Bergquist Clinic located at Offutt Air Force Base, phased out inpatient services in 2005. No longer a hospital, operations now center on same-day surgery, clinics and urgent care. This shift of services, coupled with what’s expected to be an explosive period of growth, gives Bellevue Medical Center momentum to meet an expanding need for health care.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports Sarpy County is the fastest growing county by population in Nebraska and Western Iowa. In fact, a 54 percent jump in Sarpy’s population is predicted by the year 2025.

Bellevue Medical Center will also reach out to surrounding counties and communities in both Nebraska and Iowa helping to provide convenient, comprehensive and experienced care closer to home.

An economic impact study conducted by the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Omaha Chamber Economic Development Council suggests the project also delivers a healthy dose of good news for the local economy. The overall project is expected to support more than 700 new jobs while also providing a significant financial benefit. More workers will lead to an increase in income tax revenue. The hospital, medical offices and employees will also be paying sales tax on purchases made in the community. Add property tax payments and the amount totals an estimated $5 million to $7 million in new state and local tax revenue.

“This is a significant investment in the Bellevue-Offutt community,” explained Megan Lucas, president of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. “We are absolutely thrilled to have a first-class medical center serving eastern Sarpy County and beyond. We look forward to a promising and productive future.”

It’s a relationship built on a solid foundation and cooperative spirit, added William Dinsmoor, chief financial officer of The Nebraska Medical Center. “We’re very excited with the opportunity to be partnering with over 70 physicians and the Bellevue community in order to meet the needs of this growing region,” he said.

The preliminary cost of construction for the hospital is estimated at $58 million. The total for the entire project including land, the medical office building and equipment could approach $90 million. The groundbreaking is expected to happen in late fall 2006. The medical campus is anticipated to open in October 2008.

Bellevue Medical Center can be found online at www.bellevuemed.com.