Norman Regional Health System prides itself on being “from our community and for our community.” With three main campuses, over 30 clinics and offices, and more than 3000 providers and employees, NRHS provides comprehensive medical care — and a compassionate “bedside manner” — to Oklahomans in Norman, Moore, and surrounding areas. The independent health system is constructing a new freestanding emergency department plus (FSED+) to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the community. 

NRHS needed solutions that were as comprehensive, responsive, and seamless as the healthcare services they provide. In 2020, they selected Bremner Real Estate to design, build, and finance four buildings in Norman and Oklahoma, including the FSED+. 

Norman Regional Health System: Caring for the Community  

With their innovative Inspire Health Plan, Norman Regional Health System is “reimaging healthcare.” The focus is on delivering the highest quality services, promoting health and wellness, and providing care that is accessible and convenient. According to NRHS, “The health system’s overall physical structure must align with how our patients and communities want to receive care.”  

Challenges and Opportunities 

The new freestanding emergency department plus — Norman Regional 9 — will put full emergency services, providers’ offices, physical therapy, outpatient therapy, diagnostic imaging, and lab services conveniently in the heart of southeast Norman. Located at the corner of Highway 9 and 24th Avenue Southeast, the 30-acre property is designed for current use and future growth. 

Any project of this scope comes with challenges; assembling the right team to anticipate, mitigate, and eliminate obstacles to an end result that’s on-time and on-budget is crucial. When it comes to Norman Regional 9, there were a number of potential obstacles, including: 

  • Replating the parcel on which the building would be constructed. A public approval process required some concessions to adjacent structures/businesses. For example, NRHS would need to include specific fencing, meet sight line compatibility requirements, and address neighborhood drainage 
  • Supply chain disruptions. The specter of the pandemic still looms over us, particularly when it comes to the design and construction industry. Product and supply shortages and lengthy delays are the “new normal.”  
  • Completing construction to allow Norman Regional 9 to open its doors to the community. In order to close its existing emergency department, NRHS needs to open the doors on the new 47,000 square foot FSED+ first. There can be no interruption in healthcare access for the community. Ron Penix, Vice President, Client Development, says, “There is no room for supply chain issues” or other disruptions to the project schedule.  

The keyword here is potential obstacles. These challenges have not impacted progress because of the proactive and strategic work of the team. 

The Bremner Real Estate Difference 

In addition to Bremner Real Estate, the Norman Regional 9 team is comprised of architectural firm HGA and construction group JE Dunn. Penix says, “We have a good chemistry mix. It helps the team as far as rapport, relationships, and having everyone pushing the rope in the same direction to achieve the same end result. That’s been the biggest positive on this project.” And on every project Bremner leads: building relationships is at the core of what they do. 

Penix adds, “We are taking a partnering approach; we understand the end goals required for the project and the common goals of all parties to achieve success; that’s what we’re working towards.” 

This approach, combined with extensive experience, has enabled the team to streamline approvals and meet NRHS’s tight timeline goals. Executive Vice President Bill Mooney says, “Our expertise in overcoming difficult situations is a strength our group has. Our team is built to mitigate challenges. The harder it is, the more challenging it is… that’s where we succeed.” 

Today, challenges don’t get much tougher than supply chain snarls. The Bremner team went to great lengths to ensure that global issues did not cause very local consequences. They accelerated bid dates and timelines to accommodate for potential disruptions, ordered products and materials earlier, and stored acquired items in warehouses so they would not be impacted by logistics issues down the road. 

An Excellent Prognosis 

Given the tight schedule and the need to open Norman Regional 9 before shuttering the old facility, there was little (to no!) room for interruptions. Bremner’s expertise in every aspect of the process, from gaining approvals and acquiring materials to their ability to “keep everyone pushing the rope in the same direction” has been integral in ensuring the project is on-time and on-budget. Today, the prognosis is excellent for a successful 2022 opening of the innovative FSED+.  

Bremner Real Estate has been delivering healthcare real estate solutions to clients coast-to-coast for over three decades. As Mooney says, it all comes down to “relationships, trust, confidence, and ethical principles.” With these fundamentals, projects can proceed full steam ahead, ensuring clients are able to meet the needs of their communities.  

Learn more about Bremner’s healthcare real estate services and solutions.