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Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/62851
COVER STORY a facility that's delivering world-class care, people will come here for that," said Doug Geinzer, CEO of the Southern Nevada Medical "A project Industry Coalition. like this would continue to improve the overall quality of health care in the valley." ALL-INCLUSIVE T he Union Village project would comprise four separate components that makes total sense. At the same time, elder care is becoming more needed. We have an aging population, and Nevada's been such a popular retirement destination," he said. would be built over several phases. First to be built are Union Centre — the campus's medical core, which would include three hospitals, medical office space and a proton therapy center — and Union Place, a "senior village" of 1,000 units offering independent living, congregate care and assisted living. Future phases restaurants, would theater and an athletic club. "I think the potential is high," he said. Union Village is based on a model of providing a complete "continuum of care," a growing trend in the health care industry driven in part by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The idea connectivity medical is care to provide greater and continuity between providers through electronic health records and clustering of facilities, as opposed to the current referral-based system that the various specialists and works with treatments they need. "Because can send patients to far-flung corners of the valley to access everybody different (health record) systems, anytime you hand that off to another entity, things don't necessarily translate the way they should," Geinzer said. "A lot of it comes down to coordinated care. When you don't have all of the ancillary businesses on a campus, there can be a breakdown in care." At Union Village, a patient would only need to walk next door to see a it's chemotherapy a diversion for caretakers or members visiting with the patient. offerings provide family include a hotel, a children's hospital, a central park, retail space, a movie Already short on medical professionals and lagging in national metrics that rate quality of care, Southern Nevada's health care system and its reputation would be substantially improved if the Union Village vision comes to fruition, Geinzer said. "There are service lines that aren't being delivered efficiently. There's not a children's hospital in Henderson, so that critical link that makes this work." and If the construction is phased properly developers don't overestimate demand, the project has a realistic chance of succeeding, Restrepo said. "You're not going to finance the whole $1.5 billion up front," he said. "If you do it in a judicious way, it may not be a five-year project. It may take 10, but it will fit in." Restrepo said a successful Union Village would have far-reaching effects on the valley's economy. A center of excellence would generate high-paying medical jobs, attract highly skilled professionals and create the opportunity to spur further David Mathis, president and CEO of medical research and innovation. the Nevada Health Care Alliance, said "What we get excited about is not so Union Village would provide a much- much this project in and of itself, it's the needed boost to medical infrastructure in Southern Nevada, although finding enough skilled professionals to staff such a large campus could be a challenge early on. "Staffing is going to be a big issue. ... You multiple institutions and payments from can have a nice complex, but recruiting people to come in and work is a different tenants buying space in the park. Negotiations with anchor tenants, challenge. We already have a shortage most notably the hospital providers, are of clinicians, physicians and registered nurses. There are only a limited number of people who can provide those services in the valley." is the intended WHERE'S THE MONEY? B efore Union Village can open its doors and begin striving to improve care in financing and tenants needed to support the project. ongoing, and Baker cited legal reasons in declining to name potential partners. The Las Vegas Sun, a sister publication of VEGAS INC, has reported that St. Rose Dominican Hospitals hospital anchor for the project and that it would build a 214-bed hospital to replace its aging Rose de Lima Campus at Lake Southern Nevada, it must first secure the Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway. "We think all of that is coming into place. We're very confident," Baker said, adding that more specific announcements would be made in the coming months. A project of this scope hasn't succeeded in the valley since the recession set in four years ago, but economist John Restrepo, principal at RCG Economics, said Union Village had several factors working in its favor. Capital markets have recovered to a point where finding funding for a project of Union Village's scope is possible, specialist after getting a referral from Restrepo said, and the growing need his or her general physician. Further treatment, whether or physical rehabilitation, could also be done on campus, while the retail and entertainment for health care services in the valley would provide plenty of demand for the complex's medical buildings. "If you said they were trying to do a $1.5 billion office park, that's kind of pie in the sky," Restrepo said. "But with make some money, but also to do some good." health care, it makes sense. That's the Once ground is broken, Baker said, construction on the first phase will take just short of four years to complete. "Everybody understands that nothing is guaranteed, but we're working together to make something happen," he said. "Sometimes, there's a perception that it's easier to invest in distressed real estate and hang onto it for five or 10 years. But that doesn't create jobs, that doesn't create services. ... This isn't easy and it takes some time, but we have a sense of urgency. It's an opportunity not only to spin-off effects," he said. "(Union Village) would provide a great attracting other businesses." foundation for Baker said the Union Village partners were working on setting up a financing structure that would rely on loans from Dignity Health, San Francisco • St. Rose Dominican Hospitals — Siena Campus • St. Rose Dominican Hospitals — San Martin Campus • St. Rose Dominican Hospitals — Rose de Lima Campus Clark County, Las Vegas • University Medical Center Veterans Administration/ U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. • Veterans Affairs Medical Center (opening in August) • Mike O'Callaghan Federal Medical Center IASIS Healthcare, Franklin, Tenn. • North Vista Hospital • Compiled by Steve Green, senior staff writer LAS VEGAS-AREA HOSPITAL OWNERS Universal Health Services Inc., King of Prussia, Pa. • Summerlin Hospital Medical Center • Valley Hospital Medical Center • Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center • Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center • Centennial Hills Hospital HCA Holdings Inc./ Hospital Corporation of America, Nashville, Tenn. • Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center • Sunrise Children's Hospital • MountainView Hospital • Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center Maria Nutile, esq. Susan M. Pitz, esq. Kelly S. McIntosh, esq. Celebrating 10 Years Serving Nevada's Business Community For the Health of Your Business BUSINESS LEGAL SERVICES • Business Formation and Structure • Sales and Acquisitions • Contract Review and Negotiation • Employment Matters • General Counsel Services 1070 W. HORIZON RIDGE, STE 210 • HENDERSON, NV 89012 • 702.307.4880 • WWW.NUTILEPITZ.COM @NutilePitzLaw