VALHALLA — Westchester Medical Center, the flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, on Oct. 17 topped off an important phase in the construction of its new, state-of-the-art critical care tower that will redefine life-saving care for Hudson Valley.
To celebrate the completion of the steel framework, dignitaries, donors, hospital leaders, and staff gathered at Westchester Medical Center for the lifting of the steel beam that was placed atop the five-story structure.
“Today, we celebrate a milestone — the placement of the final steel beam — marking not just the end of one phase, but the beginning of the next,’’ said Dr. David Lubarsky, president and CEO of WMCHealth. “At this medical center, we deliver the most advanced, complex care in Westchester County serving more patients than all other health systems combined. This new ICU tower builds on that foundation, reflecting our role as the region’s destination for the most complex care.”
After some final signatures were placed on the beam, construction workers lifted it into place eliciting applause and cheers from the audience. An evergreen was attached to the beam along with the American flag as part of a longstanding custom.
Lubarsky thanked WMC Health patients; Westchester County and the Westchester County Local Development Corp., The Fareri family; WMC physicians, leadership team and staff and elected officials, trustees and community partners.
“This beam symbolizes a collective achievement — the realization of a vision that will defining the future of healthcare across our region,” he added.
Currently under construction on the Valhalla campus, the Brenda Fareri Pavilion will be a 162,000-square-foot hub of advanced critical care medicine. Designed for the highest levels of complexity, the pavilion will feature ICU-capable rooms and flexible, surge-ready spaces to respond to public health emergencies. It will also support world-class patient care programs, including advanced neurosurgery through the region’s most comprehensive Neuroscience ICU and the Hudson Valley’s only Comprehensive Stroke Center.
In addition, the pavilion will enhance a nationally recognized Cardiac Surgery Program, ranked among the top 50 in the United States for patient outcomes, and the Medical-Surgical ICU, ensuring that patients requiring the most advanced care have access to the very best resources and expertise. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
In addition to Dr. Lubarsky, dignitaries at today’s ceremony were: John and Brenda Fareri, whose family pledged a $5 million gift to support the construction; Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins; Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Vedat Gashi; NY State Assemblymembers MaryJane Shimsky, Steve Otis and Dana Levenberg.
Last month WMCHealth announced the public launch of the $25 million “Possible Starts Here” capital campaign to complete construction of the critical care tower. Of the $25 million goal, WMCHealth celebrated several transformational commitments from philanthropists throughout the region. Strong support has also been received from trustees, physicians, and employees across the network.
