VA Loma Linda Hosts "Topping Out"

VA Loma Linda Healthcare System recently held a traditional milestone ceremony at the construction site of a major new building currently under construction. In building construction, “Topping Out” is a builders' rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed on top of a structure during its erection. The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building. The practice remains common in the United States, where the last beam is painted white and signed by all the workers involved. It is then hoisted into place and a Christmas tree is attached to the top of the beam. In conjunction with VA's contractor, the Walsh Group, and VA’s Office of Construction and Facilities Management, the Topping Out ceremony for VA Loma Linda's Ambulatory Care Center site (26001 Redlands Blvd., Loma Linda, CA 92354) was held on March 20. The Ambulatory Care Center, or ACC, located on Redlands Boulevard in Loma Linda, between Mountain View Avenue and California Street, is expected by the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System to drastically improve the patient experience. The new facility represents a nearly 300,000-square-foot addition to the current 900,000-square-foot facility – a one-third increase in space. The new facility will also add about 2,000 parking spaces. The ACC will not only provide ample space for primary care, dental, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and some behavioral health services, it will also free up space at the Medical Center Campus to expand inpatient units, specialty clinics and the emergency department. Prior to the Friday ceremony, the final beam was placed in front of the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center for March 17 and 18, to allow staff and patients the opportunity to sign the beam.