Novant Health celebrates completion of $400 million Forsyth Medical Center south tower

On Friday, Jan. 10, executives, local elected officials and dozens of staff members celebrated the completion of the south tower of the Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. 

Construction began in 2019 with the hopes the addition would become a hub for treating heart disease in the area. Though slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic fluctuations that followed, the project was completed in phases over the course of five years.

Now, the south tower is fully operational and home to a team of health care workers who specialize in using left ventricular assist devices.

Alisha Hutchens, interim president of Forsyth Medical Center, said that’s the service she’s most excited to bring to the area.

"There’s only eight artificial heart programs known as VAD in North Carolina," Hutchens said. "We actually have one of those in our sister facilities in Wilmington and we will have it right here at Forsyth Medical Center.

The five-story south tower also features a state-of-the-art surgical suite and additional room and services for the hospital’s intensive care unit. It represents a $400 million investment for the health system.

Santiago Ochoa covers healthcare for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. Follow him on X and Instagram: @santi8a98