FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2012
Contact: Amy Kay, Public Relations Coordinator
Hanson Professional Services Inc.
(217) 747-9283
akay@hanson-inc.com
“Pink Steel” Breast Cancer Awareness Event Announced
(Hanson Professional Services Inc. is sharing this news release as part of the new Springfield Clinic 1st expansion project team.)
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Springfield Clinic, in partnership with O’Shea Healthcare Builders, is proud to announce “Pink Steel: Building Strength from Within.”
The event, to be held Thursday, Oct. 25, in Springfield, Ill., on the construction site of the new Springfield Clinic 1st expansion, will honor those affected by breast cancer—from survivors and their loved ones to those whose battles were lost.
While the event’s name—Pink Steel—figuratively relates to the inner strength required to battle breast cancer, it has a literal meaning as well. The new building’s steel frame will be entirely coated in pink.
“When we realized the steel would be both fabricated and erected in October, and that the new facility would house specialists directly involved in breast cancer detection and treatment, we knew we had a very special opportunity,” said Tom Fitch, Vice President of Harold O’Shea Builders.
With the enthusiastic approval of officials at Springfield Clinic and Memorial Health System, the project’s steel fabricator, Selvaggio Steel, began planning for the project. More than two million pounds of steel for the 132,000-square-foot building are being fabricated and painted with the pink protective coating.
“Visibility leads to awareness, and what’s more visible than a bright pink steel structure in the middle of Springfield’s medical district?” added Fitch.
Pink Steel is a free, open to the public event, and will feature activities, including the opportunity to sign a pink steel beam, which will be later erected as part of the building’s infrastructure. Guests will be able to sign the beam between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and the first 500 attendees will receive a free event T-shirt. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink.
A formal program that includes several speakers is scheduled to begin at noon. At the conclusion of the remarks, a large, panoramic photo of the building and entire pink-clad assembly will be taken. Refreshments will be served immediately following the photo and guests may continue to sign the pink steel beam.
Representatives of Springfield Clinic, O’Shea Healthcare Builders, Selvaggio Steel, Memorial Health System and numerous community organizations will be on hand to demonstrate the partnership necessary to “build strength from within” and fight cancer.
“Awareness, detection and early treatment are essential to our successful battle against breast cancer,” said Keith Wichterman, MD, breast surgeon with Springfield Clinic. “At Springfield Clinic, we’re hopeful that Pink Steel will help highlight the importance of regular self-examination, annual physicals and age-appropriate mammographic screening.”
Pink Steel will be held, rain or shine, on the construction site of Springfield Clinic’s new building at the corners of 1st and Dodge streets in Springfield, Ill. Additional details may be found by visiting www.SpringfieldClinic.com/PinkSteel.
In early 2012, representatives of Springfield Clinic and Memorial Medical Center officially launched the $60.5 million construction of the new medical office building which will be occupied by 65 additional physicians, surgeons and mid-level providers affiliated with Springfield Clinic. The four-story medical office building is currently under construction on four acres of Memorial Medical Center’s campus on its north side, and the new health center will connect to a new 600-vehicle parking garage. Completion is scheduled for fall 2014.
Springfield Clinic’s new facility will include a women’s health center on the first two floors, consolidating its OB/GYN practices and creating opportunities for other women’s health specialists to provide care in the same location. The building’s third floor will house Springfield Clinic’s general surgery and colon and rectal surgery departments. The fourth floor will accommodate Springfield Clinic’s cancer care center.
Springfield Clinic is a progressive, physician-led multi-specialty medical group, devoted to providing the highest quality health care to its patients. With more than 350 physicians and mid-level providers, practicing in nearly 80 medical specialties and sub-specialties, Springfield Clinic serves a population of nearly one million patients throughout the central Illinois region. As one of the largest private, multi-specialty medical clinics in Illinois, Springfield Clinic currently employs over 2,000 clinical and administrative staff members who are committed to leadership in quality, service and technology. For more information, go to http://www.springfieldclinic.com/.
O'Shea Healthcare Builders, a division of Harold O'Shea Builders, is the general contractor for the project and BSA Life Structures of St. Louis is the architect. Harold O’Shea Builders has been working with Springfield Clinic and Memorial Medical Center on medical office building projects for nearly 10 years.
Harold O’Shea Builders is central Illinois’ leading construction services provider, offering a full range of construction services, including Pre-Construction Services, Construction Management, Design-Build, General Contracting, and Building and Maintenance Services. For more information, visit http://www.osheabuilders.com/.
Memorial Health System is a community-based, not-for-profit corporation based in Springfield that is dedicated to patient care, education and research. The health system’s six affiliates provide a full range of inpatient, outpatient, home health, hospice, behavioral health and primary care physician services. Memorial Medical Center is one of the hospitals in the healthcare system. For more information, visit http://www.choosememorial.org/.
BSA LifeStructures designs facilities that support and enhance healing, learning and discovery – facilities that are lifestructures. A multidisciplinary team that employs trademarked LifeStructure Metrics to drive measurable outcomes, BSA LifeStructures collaborates with visionary healthcare, higher education and research clients to deliver inspired solutions that improve lives. The firm has offices in Austin, Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. For more information, visit http://www.bsalifestructures.com/.
Hanson Professional Services Inc. of Springfield, Ill., – a consultant to the project architect, BSA LifeStructures – is providing structural and electrical engineering services for the new Springfield Clinic 1st expansion. Hanson is a national, employee-owned consulting firm providing engineering, architecture, planning and allied services. The firm’s corporate headquarters is located at 1525 S. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62703. The office may be reached by phone: (217) 788-2450 or fax: (217) 788-2503. For more information, visit http://www.hanson-inc.com/.
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