Frequently Asked Questions

Why is UAMS undertaking this series of expansion projects?
The heart of our clinical programs, the UAMS Medical Center building, is 50 years old, outmoded and not suited for renovation. As patient demand has increased, so has the need for expanded facilities that allow UAMS to successfully carry out its mission to provide comprehensive health care, educate tomorrow's health care professionals and provide a place for scientific research.

For the past two decades, UAMS has successfully expanded and created numerous world-class programs. Without an expansion to the hospital, these programs will deteriorate.  

What will the expansion consist of?
The expansion effort will stretch over the next few years and encompass several expansion and renovation projects. The largest project will be a significant expansion of the UAMS Medical Center, which will include new patient rooms, operating rooms and space for other programs and services.

The hospital expansion is being built at the site of the old student dormitory. The old dorm and student union was torn down and a new residence hall built nearby.

A new Psychiatric Research Institute (PRI) will be built adjacent to the hospital addition that will offer space for inpatient and outpatient care. A new parking deck and power plant will be built to support the hospital expansion and PRI. Access to campus also is being improved as the campus’ Hooper Drive is converted into a boulevard.

Other expansion projects on campus include a five-story addition to the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute and 12-floor, 300,000-square-foot expansion of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, formerly the Arkansas Cancer Research Center. UAMS also assisted the state with construction of a new State Hospital west of campus.  

How will the expansion projects be paid for?
Funding for the hospital expansion, Psychiatric Research Institute, residence hall, parking deck and site development projects will come from a variety of sources, including a bond issue approved by the University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees and gifts from donors.

The Cancer Institute expansion is being funded in part by a 2007 law to provide up to $46 million in matching funds to build the expansion as well as support patient care and research programs. Act 838 created a $36 million fund to provide a dollar-for-dollar match of private donations in support of the cancer center expansion and program endowments. When that commitment is met, UAMS can ask for $10 million in additional matching funds to be appropriated through the Governor’s discretionary funds in the state’s General Improvement Fund. In addition, once that is met UAMS can allocate $4 million in funds from other projects as matching funds for the Cancer Institute.

The expansion of the Jones Eye Institute was made possible through a $15 million gift from Springdale philanthropist Pat Walker, for whom the addition is named.  

When will the major projects be completed?
The hospital expansion and PRI are expected to be open in late 2008/early 2009.
The addition to the Jones Eye Institute opened in early 2006, followed by the new Residence Hall opening in fall 2006. The new West Central Energy Plant opened in 2007. The first floor of the new Education West building is scheduled to open in time for classes in August 2008, with the second floor being completed by October.

The Cancer Institute expansion is expected to open in 2010.

See this construction timeline (http://www.uams.edu/growing/timeline/) for each project.