From left: Peter Meinig, chair of Cornell University's Board of Trustees; Kevin Brine, chair of "Advancing the Clinical Mission"; C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan borough president; Sanford Weill, chair of Weill Cornell's Board of Overseers; Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College; Tommy Thompson, U.S. secretary of health and human services; Jeffrey Lehman, president of Cornell University; Corinne Greenberg (representing husband Maurice Greenberg, Weill Cornell Board of Overseers); Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
Under sunny skies and against the backdrop of the construction site, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson, and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields as well as other prominent guests and dignitaries, joined the Medical College on May 25 as it broke ground on its new Ambulatory Care and Medical Education Building—the 106-year-old institution's first clinical facility. The centerpiece of Weill Cornell's capital campaign, "Advancing the Clinical Mission," the 13-story, $230 million medical complex will serve as the new focus for patient care and education at the Medical College's campus, as well as the flagship building for Cornell University in New York City.
The dynamic groundbreaking began with a festive breakfast in the Griffis Faculty Club, with Dr. Antonio Gotto, dean of the Medical College, serving as the master of ceremonies. Following the breakfast, the Medical College hosted a press conference with remarks from Dr. Gotto; Mayor Bloomberg; Hon. Thompson; Hon. Fields; Jeffrey Lehman, president of Cornell University; Sanford Weill, chairman of the Medical College's Board of Overseers; Dr. Herbert Pardes, president and CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital; and Kevin Brine, chairman of Weill Cornell's "Advancing the Clinical Mission" capital campaign. Maurice Greenberg, a member of Weill Cornell's Board of Overseers, was unable to attend the event, but his wife, Corinne, was present.
"This is an historic occasion for the Medical College and Hospital. We have truly reached a milestone with the construction of this new building," Dr. Gotto said.
"I am looking forward to playing in the dirt with my colleagues," joked the Hon. Fields. "This day commemorates the newest star in the Weill Cornell Medical College crown."
Following remarks from invited guests, several dignitaries and faculty posed with shovels at the construction site.
Sanford Weill; Jeffrey Lehman; Hon. C. Virginia Fields; Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Dr. Antonio Gotto; Kevin Brine; Dr. Herbert Pardes; and Hon. Tommy Thompson.
The building is designed to make the ambulatory patient experience both pleasant and efficient, and will house numerous key clinical programs, such as cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, ENT and radiology, as well as world-class research and medical education. Located at 1305 York Ave. at E. 70th St., it is scheduled to open in the fall of 2006.
The building will offer medical students first-class facilities and firsthand experiences observing and participating in real-life medical situations; will feature an innovative Clinical Skills Center, a 10,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art teaching facility in which students can practice clinical skills in a controlled environment with standardized "actor" patients, and begin training in patient interactions early in their education; and will also foster opportunities for scientific collaboration among the College's researchers by providing them with additional space and the latest technology.
Dr. Antonio Gotto and Hon. Tommy Thompson in front of construction site.
Weill Cornell Medical College's new Ambulatory Care and Medical Education Building was designed by Polshek Partnership Ballinger Architects, a 120-person firm known for architectural excellence and innovative design, and for its longstanding commitment to cultural, educational, governmental and scientific institutions. Among other New York projects, Polshek is responsible for the Carnegie Hall renovation, the American Museum of Natural History's Rose Center for Earth and Space, and the Brooklyn Museum of Art Renovation and Expansion.
Bovis Lend Lease is providing all local construction services.
Photos by Richard Lobell and Marie Wallace.