Providence Cedars-Sinai in Tarzana has completed a three -and-a-half year renovation of their 50-year old medical center with the opening of the Friese Family Tower.
CEO Nick Lymberopoulos told Valley News Group, “We finally have a facility that represents the first class, high-quality care we offer.”
The tower houses a new 32-bed emergency room, double the size of the previous ER, a 42-bed surgery unit, 42-bed progressive care unit, a 22-bed critical care unit, a 20-bed cardio unit and a 16-bed pediatrics unit. A state-of-the-art pharmacy with an adjacent lab will save time and resources. First responders now have a separate entrance, and there is a separate patient drop-off zone.
The new tower now offers the fastest CT scanner in the valley, offering the same results, much clearer, in much less time – a scan that used to take 15 minutes now takes only one minute.
The new tower makes the experience better for patients – and their families – with private patient rooms, comfortable waiting areas with chargers and power cords, and dedicated elevators for just patients and caregivers. Colorful art from local Los Angeles artists grace all the walls.
There is also a new gift shop, chapel and “grab and go” area for snacks and supplies. Lymberopoulos said, “All these make it easier to offer better care for staff and patients. Our goal is to eliminate the need to drive over the hill to get outstanding care.”
Valley residents Don and Andrea Friese gave $50 million to the foundation for the new tower. Other local donors include Dale and Brenda Surowitz, Howard and Jody Tenenbaum, Gary and Katy Leff, Alan and Susan Wohl among others who donated for specific rooms or areas.
