Walter Tower Employee FAQ
Houston Methodist will soon open Walter Tower, a 22-story, $700-million patient tower housing new beds and state-of-the-art technology to better serve the community and the institution’s growing patient population.
The 954,705 square-foot facility in the Texas Medical Center features 366 patient beds and 18 high-tech operating rooms, including four hybrid ORs that combine advanced medical imaging devices and an operating room. The new hybrid ORs will allow for more minimally-invasive procedures for cardiovascular surgery and neurosurgery.
Other highlights of the Walter Tower include an intraoperative MRI, giving surgeons the opportunity to scan patients and perform procedures in the same location without having to move them to an imaging suite during procedures. Surgeons will have a more precise view of tumors, aneurysms, ischemic strokes, etc. to better evaluate their specific situation instantaneously.
The building also features 14 cath labs, three intensive care floors with all-private rooms, six acute care floors, a VIP suite and a helipad that will give emergency personnel direct access to the OR, cath lab and intensive care units.
Walter Tower is named in honor of Paula and Rusty Walter, whose generous $101 million gift will help support new endowed chairs and faculty as well as research and teaching positions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Building Facts And Figures
When does Walter Tower open?
The first units in Walter Tower are scheduled to open Thursday, August 13.
Where is Walter Tower located?
Walter Tower is located at 6551 Bertner Ave. and can be accessed internally via Dunn 9 and 10, and floors B1, 1 and 2 from Fondren Brown.
Is there parking available?
The closest visitor parking garage is in TMC Garage 7. Visitors are also welcome to park in TMC Garage 1, and the garages at OPC, the Commons Garage, Smith and Scurlock. Walter Tower will also offer valet parking within the building.
Why did we build this new tower?
The original Houston Methodist Hospital Main building is now more than 66 years old. Walter Tower will replace many patient beds in the Main building, in addition to offering operating rooms, cardiac cath labs and other facilities with new rooms and equipment. It will also feature the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Building Facts And Figures
Why is the new building named Walter Tower?
Walter Tower is named in honor of Paula and Rusty Walter III for their support in accelerating Houston Methodist's neuroscience research efforts, donating $101 million to support translational research, neurological restoration, innovation in medicine, an employee relief fund for Harvey victims, and a matching fund for 50 additional endowed chairs for physicians and scientists. This is the largest philanthropic gift in Houston Methodist Hospital's nearly 100-year history.
How much did Walter Tower cost?
The total project cost of Walter Tower is nearly $700 million.
How many beds and floors in the new building?
Walter Tower is a 22-story tower that houses 366 patient beds, including 138 intensive and intermediate care beds, 204 acute beds, a BMT clinic and a VIP floor with 24 beds.
How big of an undertaking is this project?
More than 1,000 workers have been involved in the construction of Walter Tower, and 2.1 million pounds of sheet metal, 284 miles of electrical wire, 190 miles of electrical conduit and 15,000 light fixtures are being used.
The first units in Walter Tower are scheduled to open Thursday, August 13.
Where is Walter Tower located?
Walter Tower is located at 6551 Bertner Ave. and can be accessed internally via Dunn 9 and 10, and floors B1, 1 and 2 from Fondren Brown.
Is there parking available?
The closest visitor parking garage is in TMC Garage 7. Visitors are also welcome to park in TMC Garage 1, and the garages at OPC, the Commons Garage, Smith and Scurlock. Walter Tower will also offer valet parking within the building.
Why did we build this new tower?
The original Houston Methodist Hospital Main building is now more than 66 years old. Walter Tower will replace many patient beds in the Main building, in addition to offering operating rooms, cardiac cath labs and other facilities with new rooms and equipment. It will also feature the latest state-of-the-art technology.
Building Facts And Figures
Why is the new building named Walter Tower?
Walter Tower is named in honor of Paula and Rusty Walter III for their support in accelerating Houston Methodist's neuroscience research efforts, donating $101 million to support translational research, neurological restoration, innovation in medicine, an employee relief fund for Harvey victims, and a matching fund for 50 additional endowed chairs for physicians and scientists. This is the largest philanthropic gift in Houston Methodist Hospital's nearly 100-year history.
How much did Walter Tower cost?
The total project cost of Walter Tower is nearly $700 million.
How many beds and floors in the new building?
Walter Tower is a 22-story tower that houses 366 patient beds, including 138 intensive and intermediate care beds, 204 acute beds, a BMT clinic and a VIP floor with 24 beds.
How big of an undertaking is this project?
More than 1,000 workers have been involved in the construction of Walter Tower, and 2.1 million pounds of sheet metal, 284 miles of electrical wire, 190 miles of electrical conduit and 15,000 light fixtures are being used.
Department Moves And Locations
What departments will move to Walter Tower?
The 22-story tower will house most of the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. Other departments moving include: cell & gene therapy, the BMT clinic and Fondren 12’s VIP patients.
When will each department open? Click here to see a Walter Tower Stacking Diagram.
Will the HMH ED move to the Walter Tower?
No.
Is dialysis staying in its current location?
Yes, but the department will now have workrooms on floors 9 and 11.
Is the blood bank staying in its current location?
Yes, but histology, BMT lab and the OR stat lab will move.
Will the lab be located in Walter Tower or stay in its current location?
The lab will remain in its current location.
The 22-story tower will house most of the Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center and the Houston Methodist Neurological Institute. Other departments moving include: cell & gene therapy, the BMT clinic and Fondren 12’s VIP patients.
When will each department open? Click here to see a Walter Tower Stacking Diagram.
Will the HMH ED move to the Walter Tower?
No.
Is dialysis staying in its current location?
Yes, but the department will now have workrooms on floors 9 and 11.
Is the blood bank staying in its current location?
Yes, but histology, BMT lab and the OR stat lab will move.
Will the lab be located in Walter Tower or stay in its current location?
The lab will remain in its current location.
Equipment
Will there be any training for the staff on how to use the new equipment?
CNREP (formerly CPE) will schedule and lead training for all new equipment. This will happen during operational planning, approximately five weeks prior to moving in.
What equipment is moving from the old unit to the new unit?
All units moving into Walter Tower will receive a room-by-room list detailing equipment moves and existing equipment is included as well.
Where will the crash cart be located?
A crash cart will be located at each nurse’s station.
Will there be a recliner in every patient room?
In acute care, each room will feature a recliner, but the ICU rooms will not. Staff can access recliners and transport chairs in equipment rooms.
Will there be a therapy gym on the Stroke Unit like there currently is on M6SW?
No, there will not be a gym on the Stroke Unit.
CNREP (formerly CPE) will schedule and lead training for all new equipment. This will happen during operational planning, approximately five weeks prior to moving in.
What equipment is moving from the old unit to the new unit?
All units moving into Walter Tower will receive a room-by-room list detailing equipment moves and existing equipment is included as well.
Where will the crash cart be located?
A crash cart will be located at each nurse’s station.
Will there be a recliner in every patient room?
In acute care, each room will feature a recliner, but the ICU rooms will not. Staff can access recliners and transport chairs in equipment rooms.
Will there be a therapy gym on the Stroke Unit like there currently is on M6SW?
No, there will not be a gym on the Stroke Unit.
Facility Questions
How many parking spaces will be added at Houston Methodist to compensate for the increased capacity of Walter Tower?
Patients visiting Walter Tower will be encouraged to valet park. We’ve added 100 new spaces for our patients.
Will Walter Tower have a central supply location?
No, the central supply location will remain in Dunn 2. However, employees can clean equipment on each floor and in equipment rooms.
Are there documentation rooms that ancillary staff may use on each unit?
There is documentation space at nursing stations on all floors. The acute care floors (17-20) have a separate workroom for ancillary staff and physicians.
Patients visiting Walter Tower will be encouraged to valet park. We’ve added 100 new spaces for our patients.
Will Walter Tower have a central supply location?
No, the central supply location will remain in Dunn 2. However, employees can clean equipment on each floor and in equipment rooms.
Are there documentation rooms that ancillary staff may use on each unit?
There is documentation space at nursing stations on all floors. The acute care floors (17-20) have a separate workroom for ancillary staff and physicians.
Food And Shopping
Will employees be able to pay with our badges at the new Einstein Bros. Bagels shop?
Yes, employees will be able to pay with their badges, but unlike our Marketplace, employees will not receive a discount. Walter Tower will also house Texas Sky Café, a grab-and-go shop similar to Blue Water in OPC.
Will there be a walkway from Walter tower to the Main cafeteria? I know our patients and visitors sometimes get lost trying to get to the cafeteria.
Levels 1 and 2 of Walter Tower will connect to the Dunn building. Patients will have access to the Marketplace through any of these routes.
Will there be an ATM in Walter Tower?
At this time we do not have an additional ATM planned for Walter Tower. We currently have ATMs on the second floor of Scurlock and Smith, the first floor of the Research Institute and Main first floor.
Yes, employees will be able to pay with their badges, but unlike our Marketplace, employees will not receive a discount. Walter Tower will also house Texas Sky Café, a grab-and-go shop similar to Blue Water in OPC.
Will there be a walkway from Walter tower to the Main cafeteria? I know our patients and visitors sometimes get lost trying to get to the cafeteria.
Levels 1 and 2 of Walter Tower will connect to the Dunn building. Patients will have access to the Marketplace through any of these routes.
Will there be an ATM in Walter Tower?
At this time we do not have an additional ATM planned for Walter Tower. We currently have ATMs on the second floor of Scurlock and Smith, the first floor of the Research Institute and Main first floor.
Other Buildings
Will this project include any renovation to current facilities?
Yes, this project includes the renovation of 32,495 gross square feet in our current facilities. We are also expanding the pre-op & PACU at Brown 3 as well as renovating the 2nd-floor lab in Main.
Is Walter Tower being built because the main building is getting old? And are there any plans in the near future to rebuild the main building?
Yes, it is part of our master facility plan for our campus. However, this cannot happen until the second phase of Walter Tower — when a second tower attached to Walter Tower is built. The current location of the main building will eventually be home to Research Tower II and III.
What’s going to happen to Main after Walter Tower opens?
Main will remain operational once Walter Tower opens; however, many floors will be gradually moved.
Yes, this project includes the renovation of 32,495 gross square feet in our current facilities. We are also expanding the pre-op & PACU at Brown 3 as well as renovating the 2nd-floor lab in Main.
Is Walter Tower being built because the main building is getting old? And are there any plans in the near future to rebuild the main building?
Yes, it is part of our master facility plan for our campus. However, this cannot happen until the second phase of Walter Tower — when a second tower attached to Walter Tower is built. The current location of the main building will eventually be home to Research Tower II and III.
What’s going to happen to Main after Walter Tower opens?
Main will remain operational once Walter Tower opens; however, many floors will be gradually moved.
Special Features and HMH Firsts
What special features will the new building have?
Walter Tower features 18 OR suites. The tower will open with three hybrid, 11 cardiovascular and two neuro ORs with an I-MRI that will provide our patients with minimally invasive treatments such as image-guided heart and brain procedures. These types of procedures once required open surgery.
This new tower will also include a dedicated cardiology floor that will accommodate 14 interventional CATH/EP labs.
Are there any HMH “firsts” with Walter Tower?
Yes, Walter Tower will house two neuro ORs with an intraoperative MRI. This will give surgeons the ability to image patients as they undergo surgery. This new technology will reduce risks usually imposed by moving a patient from the OR to a traditional MRI.
We also will have planned a combination MRI suite, Gamma Knife, CT scanner and BiPlane technology for complex minimally invasive cardiac and neurosurgical interventions.
Will Walter Tower have a helipad?
Yes, Walter Tower will feature a helipad that replaces the existing Alkek helipad, which has been closed for two years due to construction. The new helipad will feature an elevator that can take patients directly to an OR, ICU or cath lab.
What is the large round cylindrical structure on the roof close to the helipad?
The large structure on the roof close to the helipad houses the elevator bank. We call it the “egg.” There is also a pole about 10 stories tall on the northeast corner of the building, which is the spire. Per our design and construction team, it serves as a landmark and has the ability to light up at night.
Is there anything special about the atrium?
Houston Methodist is naming the atrium in Walter Tower the Barbara and President George H.W. Bush Atrium in honor of the past president and first lady. The atrium is the hub connecting the new Walter Tower to the rest of the campus.
The three-story atrium also features the 1963 “Extending Arms of Christ” mosaic mural designed by Bruce Hayes and built in Florence, Italy, by Italian artisan Giuseppe Rampini. It was recently restored and relocated from the Fannin Street entrance of Houston Methodist Hospital. This 1.5 million-tile mosaic gives the space a sense of newness and carries over the history of the hospital and its ties to the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Walter Tower features 18 OR suites. The tower will open with three hybrid, 11 cardiovascular and two neuro ORs with an I-MRI that will provide our patients with minimally invasive treatments such as image-guided heart and brain procedures. These types of procedures once required open surgery.
This new tower will also include a dedicated cardiology floor that will accommodate 14 interventional CATH/EP labs.
Are there any HMH “firsts” with Walter Tower?
Yes, Walter Tower will house two neuro ORs with an intraoperative MRI. This will give surgeons the ability to image patients as they undergo surgery. This new technology will reduce risks usually imposed by moving a patient from the OR to a traditional MRI.
We also will have planned a combination MRI suite, Gamma Knife, CT scanner and BiPlane technology for complex minimally invasive cardiac and neurosurgical interventions.
Will Walter Tower have a helipad?
Yes, Walter Tower will feature a helipad that replaces the existing Alkek helipad, which has been closed for two years due to construction. The new helipad will feature an elevator that can take patients directly to an OR, ICU or cath lab.
What is the large round cylindrical structure on the roof close to the helipad?
The large structure on the roof close to the helipad houses the elevator bank. We call it the “egg.” There is also a pole about 10 stories tall on the northeast corner of the building, which is the spire. Per our design and construction team, it serves as a landmark and has the ability to light up at night.
Is there anything special about the atrium?
Houston Methodist is naming the atrium in Walter Tower the Barbara and President George H.W. Bush Atrium in honor of the past president and first lady. The atrium is the hub connecting the new Walter Tower to the rest of the campus.
The three-story atrium also features the 1963 “Extending Arms of Christ” mosaic mural designed by Bruce Hayes and built in Florence, Italy, by Italian artisan Giuseppe Rampini. It was recently restored and relocated from the Fannin Street entrance of Houston Methodist Hospital. This 1.5 million-tile mosaic gives the space a sense of newness and carries over the history of the hospital and its ties to the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Staff Communication And Technology
Is there “wireless” in every room to avoid dropped calls?
Yes.
Will IT complete a review of all workstations, printers and other equipment before the opening of Walter Tower?
All IT equipment is brand new with the exception of all the office staff’s equipment. Their equipment will be relocated. All equipment will be completely operational before the tower opens.
What communication will go out to patients and family members regarding the move?
We are working to create signs for each department with information about the new location. Patients are also welcome to visit www.houstonmethodist.org for updated information about Walter Tower.
Yes.
Will IT complete a review of all workstations, printers and other equipment before the opening of Walter Tower?
All IT equipment is brand new with the exception of all the office staff’s equipment. Their equipment will be relocated. All equipment will be completely operational before the tower opens.
What communication will go out to patients and family members regarding the move?
We are working to create signs for each department with information about the new location. Patients are also welcome to visit www.houstonmethodist.org for updated information about Walter Tower.
Staff Planning And Workflow
Has the hiring process started for Walter Tower both for current employees and anyone interested in becoming an employee at Houston Methodist?
Department leadership is actively engaged in planning for any staffing changes related to the Walter Tower move. Please contact your department leadership if you have specific questions related to your department’s staffing plans.
When is staff allowed to tour the unit?
Super users and leadership are currently touring their units.
Will Walter Tower have a discharge lounge?
No.
Where will patients be admitted and discharged?
Patients will be admitted and discharged on level 1 at the circle drive in Walter Tower. Valet will be used for admitting and discharge. Ambulances will utilize B1 for transporting patients.
Will the OR & cath labs be secured at night?
Yes, they all have programmable access control. It will be up to operational leadership to determine how these labs will be secured.
Will all areas of Walter Tower and the bridges have telemetry transmission?
Yes.
Will there be lockers provided for patient/family use in OR suites like we currently provide in the Dunn OR?
There will be lockers in the pre-op areas when construction is complete on level 3. The Level 4 cath lab will also be equipped with patient lockers.
In common family areas near ICU/floors, will there be a coffee pot and microwave available?
Every patient floor will feature a family lounge with coffee, ice, water and a microwave.
Will Walter Tower have a lactation room in it?
Yes. It will be on the 14th floor next to the C elevator bank.
Department leadership is actively engaged in planning for any staffing changes related to the Walter Tower move. Please contact your department leadership if you have specific questions related to your department’s staffing plans.
When is staff allowed to tour the unit?
Super users and leadership are currently touring their units.
Will Walter Tower have a discharge lounge?
No.
Where will patients be admitted and discharged?
Patients will be admitted and discharged on level 1 at the circle drive in Walter Tower. Valet will be used for admitting and discharge. Ambulances will utilize B1 for transporting patients.
Will the OR & cath labs be secured at night?
Yes, they all have programmable access control. It will be up to operational leadership to determine how these labs will be secured.
Will all areas of Walter Tower and the bridges have telemetry transmission?
Yes.
Will there be lockers provided for patient/family use in OR suites like we currently provide in the Dunn OR?
There will be lockers in the pre-op areas when construction is complete on level 3. The Level 4 cath lab will also be equipped with patient lockers.
In common family areas near ICU/floors, will there be a coffee pot and microwave available?
Every patient floor will feature a family lounge with coffee, ice, water and a microwave.
Will Walter Tower have a lactation room in it?
Yes. It will be on the 14th floor next to the C elevator bank.
A Glimpse in Time-Lapse Construction
The Walter Tower has been under construction for two years and our crews have made incredible progress. Everyone is excited for our leading physicians, employees and researches to move in and put the new facility to work. Take a look at our time-lapse video to see the progress we've made.