Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital will increase its healthcare offerings with the construction of a new Crystal Spring Tower

Roanoke, Virginia – As Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital reveals the status of its Crystal Spring Tower, a new addition to the Star City skyline is imminent.

Carilion Clinic’s Cardiovascular Institute, an enlarged emergency room, and more trauma services will all be housed in the $500 million extension.

Dr. Jason Foerst, the medical director of Carilion’s structural heart and valve program, described the area as “a very exciting space where we get to bring together all of our cardiovascular subspecialties.”

In order to improve patient care and staff productivity, the 500,000-square-foot tower also has a larger emergency room and more trauma bays.

Wrenn Brendel, senior director of emergency departments, stated, “We are adding more treatment rooms in hopes that we can really meet the needs of our patients in a more time-efficient manner.”

The tower will be equipped with modern, improved technology.

“I believe this technology will enable us to make significant progress,” stated Dr. Joshua Adams, chief of aortic and endovascular surgery and director of the Carilion Clinic Aortic Center.

Half of the 6,000 trauma patients treated annually at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the only Level 1 trauma center in the area, are transferred from nearby smaller medical facilities. A second helipad is part of the project to help reduce treatment times and enhance patient outcomes.

“Minutes count. Therefore, adding the second helipad was worth the investment for our community and our patients,” said Krista Henderson, senior director of Life-Guard and patient transportation.

“In reality, we’re discussing how to provide them the care they require quickly. Dan Freeman, senior director of trauma programs, added, “So that we, as a cardiovascular institution and trauma program, can increase that access and make it more efficient care.”

The Crystal Spring Tower is expected to fully open in the summer of 2025, while the enlarged emergency room is scheduled to debut this spring.