Real Estate · Valley-wide
Intermountain Health breaks ground on a 180-bed children's hospital at UNLV's research park, with an opening expected in 2030
Intermountain Health held a groundbreaking Monday for what it calls Nevada's first standalone children's hospital, a project families hope will reduce the out-of-state trips some now make for specialized pediatric care.
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What happened
Intermountain Health held a groundbreaking Monday for the Felicia and Ben Horowitz Children's Hospital, KTNV reported. The health system describes the project as Nevada's first standalone children's hospital. The ceremony included fireworks and a drone show, and several Intermountain leaders spoke.
Families at the event told KTNV they hope the hospital will let their children get specialized treatment without leaving the state. The project joins other large construction efforts tracked in our development coverage.
The hospital plan
Location, size and timeline
The hospital will be built at UNLV's Harry Reid Research and Technology Park, according to KTNV. Intermountain expects it to open in 2030 with 180 beds. The building is planned with room to grow to 228 beds.
Planned services
KTNV reported that planned services include cancer treatment, neonatal and pediatric intensive care, and cardiac intensive care. The hospital is also expected to offer emergency and trauma care, behavioral health, and other specialized medical and surgical services.
Southern Nevada already has children's hospital services, KTNV noted. Intermountain leaders said the new facility is meant to widen access to specialized care that some families currently travel out of state to receive.
Who is paying
The hospital carries the names of Felicia and Ben Horowitz, who donated $150 million toward construction, according to KTNV. The source did not report a total project cost.
Why families say it matters
Two families described to KTNV how far they have traveled for their children's care. Their stories illustrate the gap Intermountain says the hospital is meant to fill.
Azalea Sanchez said her son Benjamin, now 12, was diagnosed with brain cancer at 9 months old and later received two more cancer diagnoses. He is in remission, she said, but still goes to Utah every three months for care, an 800-mile round trip. His treatment has taken the family to multiple states. "It could make life easier," Benjamin told KTNV of the planned hospital.
Tisha Haynes said her daughter Judy, now 13, was born with cancer and doctors recommended treatment outside Nevada. Judy told KTNV she was flown by helicopter to Los Angeles when she was 2 days old, and the family spent 30 days there. Judy survived but still needs specialists. Her mother said leaving home meant stepping away from work, family and their support system. She told KTNV "it will be amazing for kids all across Nevada to have a hospital near them."
Staffing the new hospital
Hospital President Russ Williams told KTNV that once the hospital is running, families would not need to leave Nevada for comprehensive pediatric care. He said recruiting pediatric specialists is among his top priorities.
Mandy Richards, the health system's chief nurse executive and president of children's health, said Intermountain is working with local universities to build a pipeline of pediatric nurses, KTNV reported. More local health and family stories are in our community section.
What to watch next
- Construction toward Intermountain's expected 2030 opening with 180 beds and space for 228.
- Intermountain's effort to recruit pediatric specialists, which the hospital president called a top priority.
- The health system's work with local universities to develop a pipeline of pediatric nurses.
