Medical Group to undergo renovation, modernization Published Feb. 28, 2008 By Courtesy 56th Medical Group and 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 56th Medical Group LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Luke's community medical needs have been changing, and the 56th Medical Group has been evolving to meet those needs. In 2004, the Medical Treatment Facility (formerly known as the Luke hospital) transformed from an inpatient facility to an outpatient clinic and is now entering a new phase of that transformation; the modernization of the clinic, Bldg. 1130. "The modernization is an architectural and construction project that renovates old inpatient hospital areas to modern, efficient outpatient clinics and administrative space," said Jack McCoy, 56th MDG Development director. "It will correct space and functional deficiencies in outpatient clinic areas and consolidate almost all of the 56th MDG departments into one facility, eliminating more than 22,000 square feet in outlying substandard facilities." According to Mr. McCoy, the contract for the project was awarded to a firm specializing in healthcare facility construction. Their scope of work includes approximately 77,615 general square feet which includes heavy renovation of the first floor in the area currently occupied by physical therapy, family practice and command sections, as well as complete renovation of the second and third floors. The design will bring public health, mental health, family advocacy, pediatrics, and the allergy and immunization clinics from outlying buildings into the clinic. "The build team has designed a 21st century medical facility layout of affected areas that will provide patients with excellent orientation and direction to all clinic and ancillary areas," Mr. McCoy said. The public space concept includes a widened lobby with waiting areas and corridors unified into one consistent theme creating a medical mall with all services readily available and identifiable. The mall approach will tie together family practice, pediatrics, allergy and immunization, surgery and orthopedics, and optometry on the first floor. The second floor will be established for family advocacy, mental health, physical therapy, public health and chiropractic services. A modern corporate office on the 3rd floor will be home for the command section along with the clinic's administrative departments. "While we are still in the design and planning stage of the project, we anticipate beginning to move various operations early this summer and look forward to starting construction in August," Mr. McCoy said. "The clinic is already a busy place and will be even busier during the renovation as we watch the progress. But, the end result will be a state-of-the-art medical treatment facility that is more convenient for all of our customers." Mr. McCoy said the projected completion date is spring 2010. Facilities not being affected by the construction are aerospace medicine, the pharmacies, and the laboratory and diagnostic imaging areas. They will continue to function without change or interruption while the dental clinic will receive some light modernization but will operate as usual. For more information concerning the renovation project, call Mr. McCoy at (623) 856-3290 or e-mail jack.mccoy@luke.af.mil.