Naval Health Clinic Annapolis Construction On Track

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) personnel and Turner Construction Co. engineers are over the half-way mark in the construction phase of Annapolis’ new naval health clinic at Naval Support Activity Annapolis.

Upon completion, currently scheduled for spring 2016, the new 101,598-square-foot facility will replace the current clinic, which is located on "Hospital Point" on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy.

While providing world-class care to Midshipmen, USNA staff, families and retirees, the current building and parking limitations no longer meet integrated health care facility requirements.

“Service members and families can expect the same safe, high quality standard of care that they are receiving in the current facility,” said Lt. Cmdr. Shanda Avent, Navy Senior Health Facilities project & planning officer. “The only difference is that the care will be delivered in a more modern and efficient health care environment.”

The new facility will include all currently available services, including primary care, orthopedics, physical therapy, dental, optometry and mental health clinics, lab, pharmacy, and radiology support, and administrative and logistic spaces. It will also incorporate modern heating and cooling practices, an update from the current facility which was converted into a hospital in 1907.

“The energy conscious design aims to achieve a LEED Silver rating with optimized daylighting of interior spaces with glare and heat reduction features on windows, solar thermal hot water heaters and roof mounted photovoltaic panels,” said Tiffany Monaco, NAVFAC Washington.

Despite delays caused by inclement weather, the new health facility is on track to welcome patients in the summer of 2016. Initial outfitting and transition is planned for spring 2016, after construction is complete.

The current clinic staff is hard at work, conducting numerous planning activities in preparation for the new facility, such as taking inventory, reviewing equipment lists, validating furniture and equipment placement in the new spaces, and planning the opening ceremony, said Avent.

“These planning activities are crucial to the overall outfitting of the clinic to ensure that it meets the staff's requirements in support of their operations,” said Avent.

The project design began in 2011 with RLF Architects and Engineers of Orlando, Fla. The design phase was led by NAVFAC Headquarters Medical Facilities Design Office and NAVFAC Washington with collaboration from many other entities including Navy Medicine East, the Health Clinic Annapolis staff, and Naval Support Activity Annapolis supporting departments.

The construction contract was awarded to Turner Construction in December 2013, and construction on the new clinic officially began with a ground-breaking ceremony April 18th, 2014.