Faculty and staff from four departments have settled into their new space at the Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center at the McNair Campus, and now they have started seeing patients in their new clinics.
The departments of urology, orthopedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and gastroenterology and hepatology welcomed patients to the new outpatient clinics on the 10th floor of the BCMMC starting Nov. 25.
The clinics occupy about 66,000 square feet of space, featuring state-of-the-art patient rooms and comfortable waiting areas in a bright setting with a modern feel. The move involved about 110 faculty and staff members, along with the set up of about 350 computer stations and telephones, according to Mike Cassidy, executive director of business operations for ambulatory services.
Faculty members whose clinics have opened at the BCMMC are excited for their staff and patients alike.
“This is a very exciting moment for us,” said Dr. Mike Coburn, chair and professor in the Scott Department of Urology at BCM. “We moved our academic offices there a few months ago, and the facility is beautiful. The clinical space is organized in a thoroughly patient-centered manner that will greatly facilitate the ease and quality of experience patients have there. The opening of this clinic on the McNair Campus and the opening of the BCM Medical Center represents a transformational moment in the history of the College; it is an extraordinary opportunity to craft our Baylor approach to providing the best quality and value patient experience unlike any other center in the region.”
“We are excited at the prospect of consolidating our services including the clinics and soon the endoscopy center in one state-of-the-art facility. This move should increase the efficiency of our practice and enable us to deliver better care for our patients,” said Dr. Hashem El-Serag, section chief of gastroenterology in the department of medicine.
With the opening of the new clinic space, the BCM shuttle service has been expanded. There are now three shuttle routes providing transportation to the greater BCM campus from Monday through Friday.
Purple Shuttle: BCM Main, Jamail Specialty Center, BCM Medical Center, McGovern – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Blue Shuttle: BCM Main, Baylor Clinic, Jamail Specialty Center, VA Medical Center – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Red Shuttle: BCM Main, Baylor Clinic, Jamail Specialty Center, BCM Medical Center, VA Medical Center, McGovern Campus – 6:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.
By expanding shuttle routes, service will be much more frequent; in most cases, the wait for a shuttle will be about 10 minutes. BCM’s facility services will be monitoring use of the shuttle and gathering feedback from riders. Feedback on the shuttle system should be sent to shuttleservice@bcm.edu. Find more information on the shuttle routes and other transportation issues on the BCM Intranet.
A covered walkway between the Jamail Building and the BCMMC is under construction for the convenience of faculty, staff and patients walking between the two buildings. A parking garage for faculty and staff as well as patients and other visitors is located under the BCMMC, and valet service is also available for patients.
A familiar smiling face will greet patients and others who enter the BCMMC – Betty Kawalski has moved there from her position at the front desk of the Jamail Building. She will be able to point visitors to clinic locations, elevators and restrooms and provide other important information.
A small Luby’s café will also open in the coming weeks at the Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center for employees and patients, and the Luby’s café in the Jamail Building remains open as well.
Next up for the Baylor College of Medicine Medical Center will be the opening of radiology services on the first floor and out-patient surgery suites on the fourth floor, both expected in 2014.
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