Chamber honors UHS with 2024 'Transformative Award'

UHS has been recognized by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce with the “2024 Transformative Award” for the exceptional development and impact of the UHS Wilson Project.

The award was accepted by John Carrigg, president and chief executive officer of UHS, at the Chamber’s 2024 Economic Forecast & Building BC event at the Holiday Inn Binghamton on Feb. 13.

The annual award recognizes a project that impacts the entire community and fosters the growth of those around it.

The UHS Wilson Project is a transformation that will enhance the healthcare experience for the entire Southern Tier community for many years to come.  The project includes the addition of the Wilson Main Tower, which consists of 120 private rooms with private bathrooms, a greatly expanded trauma and emergency department with a new helipad and ambulance bays, and a state-of-the-art inpatient MRI suite. 

“UHS has remained a steadfast supporter of Greater Binghamton and the Southern Tier,” Chamber leaders commented in praising UHS for the visionary and innovative project.  “As the world began to shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team at UHS boldly continued to move forward with the massive undertaking that is the UHS Wilson Project.”

When completed this year, the project’s Wilson Main Tower will be the new “front door” to the UHS Wilson Medical Center campus and establish a new era in quality patient care.  This is the first expansion of UHS WMC in more than 30 years.

“It has long been understood at UHS that healthcare must continually adapt to meet the needs and demands of patients,” Mr. Carrigg said.  “This is driven both by advances in technology and treatment methods and by consumer preference.  Every decision we make is driven by what is in the best interests of our patients.  In the case of the new tower, we are keenly focused on creating a better healing environment for our patients, and truly enhancing their overall experience with us.”

“As the largest construction project ever undertaken by UHS, teamwork was vitally important in bringing the original idea to fruition,” Mr. Carrigg added.  “This teamwork included the full array of UHS people—from the Board of Directors to senior leaders, and from the medical staff to clinical employees, technicians and support service personnel—all working in concert to plan and design the entire project.” 

The incredible progress of the tower has occurred with exceptional partnerships with Chianis + Anderson architects; LeChase Construction Services and numerous local and Southern Tier subcontractors and vendors. 

The work has happened on time and on budget, in a challenging environment that included not just the pandemic, but supply chain constraints, rising healthcare labor costs and inflation as well.  The project was incorporated into the organization’s overall strategic plan, with a goal to create a world-class facility that will support the exceptional care UHS consistently provides.

With this addition, UHS Wilson Medical Center further enhances the Johnson City Health and Cultural District, complementing Binghamton University’s schools of nursing and pharmacy in the district.  The site is centrally and conveniently located to the region’s major highways and communities throughout UHS’ multi-county Southern Tier service area.

Another Johnson City project, Paulus Development’s Victory Lofts Project, received the Chamber’s “2024 Restorative Award.”