Tower Will Feature Light Column That Shines with Symbolism

Years of planning are becoming a reality as construction begins on the new patient tower at Shady Grove Medical Center. Its crowning glory, a contemporary light tower on its front, will showcase Adventist HealthCare’s innovation and its long-standing commitment to community care.

Borrowing from the past

Modernity tips its hat to history in the state-of-the-art building. The light tower pays homage to the hospital’s roots by incorporating materials from the campus’s older buildings into the façade. The design incorporates bricks from the original 1970s hospital building and the 10-year-old Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center, as well as terracotta panels from the hospital’s Garden Tower addition, which opened in 2007.

An “A” to Guide the Way

Our community will instantly recognize Adventist HealthCare’s “A” logo at the pinnacle of the tower, illuminated in LED lighting. “We believe the ‘A’ will serve as a guiding light to patients,” explains Todd Cohen, associate vice president of Facilities and Real Estate for Adventist HealthCare. “It will be an artistic and tangible sign for people seeking care that says ‘Come find us. Come find the A.’”

In addition, the tower will also spotlight “Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center” in bright lights. With thousands of adjustable LED lights lining both the exterior and interior of the building, including improved lighting in arrival areas, the tower will serve as a bright beacon for those in need.

A green roof for protection

The light tower is just one of the building’s modern touches. It also will include a variety of green features. Notably, green roofs will protect against water damage by channeling water away from the building.

Easy access for emergencies

The project also is expanding Shady Grove Medical Center’s ambulance bay to accommodate more emergency vehicles. Patients arriving by ambulance will be taken through a private bay, easing congestion as private vehicles enter and head to parking.

Comfort with safety in mind

Like its impressive exterior, the inside of the light tower will also feature substantial innovations. Comfort meets safety in hallways designed by architects from all over the country. Enhanced safety measures include:

• Seamless transitions between the tower and other buildings to improve the comfort of Shady Grove’s patients during transport.
• Quality LED lighting to reduce glare in the hallways and create a warmer, more welcoming environment for patients and visitors. 
• High-end flooring, chosen with the well-being of our patients and team members in mind. The new non-slip floors will offer more support for employees working long shifts and can reduce fall risk for patients on the move. 

A light tower signaling changes

As these developments begin to take shape over the next few years, Todd emphasizes the impact he hopes the light tower will have. “We want to wow our community,” he says. “This is our renaissance. Come be a part of it.”