New Health Center Huge News for Durham
I couldn't let the news pass that Duke University Health System will embark this November on a $700 million+ expansion.
Hard to overstate the significance of this for our city and area, if all goes well.
Creating 1,500 construction jobs over the four-year life of the project. Creating an additional 1,000 jobs once the 850,000 new square feet are built. Perhaps most importantly, the expansion, which includes construction of a new cancer center, signifies Duke taking a major step toward emerging as a global health leader. As one expert told the N&O, "Duke is looking at this in terms of their international reputation."
As we've pointed out in our mag and on our site numerous times, the strong presence of health care providers in Durham is a key reason why the recession hasn't hit us nearly as hard as other areas. The fact that they're planning a massive expansion at this time is further cause for celebration.
There are, as with any project of this magnitude, risks. That includes uncertainty about what changes health care reform will bring about.
But Duke officials are bullish. "We're saturated," the impressive Victor Dzau, CEO of the health system, told the N&O. "We have three hospitals, and we're full. We're doing it cautiously, and we understand the economic environment."
Count us among the optimists
I couldn't let the news pass that Duke University Health System will embark this November on a $700 million+ expansion.
Hard to overstate the significance of this for our city and area, if all goes well.
Creating 1,500 construction jobs over the four-year life of the project. Creating an additional 1,000 jobs once the 850,000 new square feet are built. Perhaps most importantly, the expansion, which includes construction of a new cancer center, signifies Duke taking a major step toward emerging as a global health leader. As one expert told the N&O, "Duke is looking at this in terms of their international reputation."
As we've pointed out in our mag and on our site numerous times, the strong presence of health care providers in Durham is a key reason why the recession hasn't hit us nearly as hard as other areas. The fact that they're planning a massive expansion at this time is further cause for celebration.
There are, as with any project of this magnitude, risks. That includes uncertainty about what changes health care reform will bring about.
But Duke officials are bullish. "We're saturated," the impressive Victor Dzau, CEO of the health system, told the N&O. "We have three hospitals, and we're full. We're doing it cautiously, and we understand the economic environment."
Count us among the optimists
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