New medical clinic coming soon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Randahl J. Jenson
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 49th Medical Group began construction in July to build a new medical clinic here.

"We call it a clinic, but it's more like a super clinic," said Rafael Cobos, the project manager from the 49th MDG. "The purpose of doing this is to upgrade what we already have."

Replacing the current 44-year-old clinic will be a 101,126 square foot, two-story, energy efficient state-of-the-art facility. This new facility will consolidate services from five outlying buildings and put them under the same roof. 

"Due to the mission growth here at Holloman, we looked at how we could renovate the existing facility, and we found that a new facility would be more ideal and energy efficient," said Maurice Lopez, the healthcare facility manager here. "We're looking at the ease of operation not only for staff, but for patients too."

The new medical clinic is expected to be completed by November 2017.

The new facility is projected to earn a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, silver certification. This certification examines water efficiency, indoor air quality, energy performance and other categories.

In order to reach their goal of making the new facility up to 35 percent more energy efficient, the new medical clinic will be using the most up-to-date supplies and equipment.  

"We went to energy-efficient lightbulbs, appliances, medical equipment and the systems used to maintain the building," said Cobos. "They are state-of-the-art, and they are with the most efficient rating."

The medical group was at the planning stage helping choose these supplies as well as deciding the layout of the new clinic.

"They know the function of the building," said Cobos. "We get all of their input. Then, we go and start drawing a concept. Once we have a concept, we turn it over to the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers, and they hire the right medical construction companies that can help us achieve what we want to achieve."

The USACE takes the building concept drawn, and acquires all of the material and manpower necessary to get the project completed.

"That's what we're here for," said 1st Lt. Zebulun Coulter, the USACE quality assurance officer here. "To make sure that the building gets built right, and that we keep it on a budget and schedule."

Even with all of the planning that has gone into building the new medical clinic, there will be some minor inconveniences -- primarily with parking. 

Patients are advised to arrive 10-15 minutes before their appointments in case they have difficulty finding a parking space. 

"There are going to be some growing pains," said Cobos. "That is the cost of getting a state-of-the-art building."