State board approves New Lake Forest Hospital

Northwestern Medicine received approval today from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board to build a new hospital on its existing Lake Forest campus.

"We are pleased to have this approval which is a significant step forward for construction to start this fall," said Thomas J. McAfee, president of Lake Forest Hospital. "Our new hospital and redesigned campus will be a destination for health, wellness and community enjoyment for the people of Lake County and will provide our patients with access to quality care, medical experts and exceptional service as well as a seamless pathway to Northwestern Medicine specialty care."

With construction to begin this fall, the new hospital is scheduled to open in 2017 and will include 114 private inpatient beds and eight operating rooms. The new inpatient and ambulatory care facility will support a patient-centered experience and feature the latest technologies so that patients benefit from the most advanced diagnostics and leading-edge treatments. The new facility is designed to be adaptable as healthcare evolves, offering the highest levels of safety and quality as well as cost effective care. Its affiliation with Northwestern Medicine's academic health system will continue to create a healthcare environment where expert physicians will offer new medical breakthroughs to positively impact lives.

The thoughtful redesign of the 160-acre campus integrates medical care with health and wellness through linked walking and biking trails to the Lake Forest Health and Fitness Center, as well as a new common area for community activity and enjoyment.

Drawing upon Northwestern Medicine's commitment to sustainability and green design, 72 percent of the campus will be maintained as open space. The new hospital is the first phase of the campus redevelopment project; LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit trade organization that promotes sustainability in construction, is being pursued.

The Lake Forest City Council approved the campus redesign in January after an 18-month review and approval by the city's Plan Commission, and input from the public and guidance by a city-appointed Hospital Advisory Committee.

For more information about the new Lake Forest Hospital, visit nlfh.nm.org.