June 26, 2008
Harborview celebrates opening of Maleng Building
By Steve Butler & Susan Gregg-Hanson
Harborview Community Relations
On Tuesday, June 17, Harborview Medical Center, King County and UW Medicine celebrated the opening of the Norm Maleng Building, a major new facility on the Harborview campus.
The building is named in honor of the late Norm Maleng, King County prosecutor for almost 30 years and a leading advocate for the medical center. More than 350 people attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
“This new building enhances our community’s nationally recognized state-of-the-art medical care and Harborview’s continuing commitment to serve all of our residents with the highest standards,” King County Executive Ron Sims said.
“It also represents the best of our region: multiple organizations coming together to provide high-quality, critical services to those who need it most. It is fitting that the Maleng name will greet those who use it — he epitomized collaborative, service-oriented leadership in our region.”
King County Council member Larry Phillips said, “With the opening of Harborview’s Norm Maleng Building, the work carried out there will serve as a living reminder of Norm’s efforts in memory of his beloved daughter to bring hope, help, and comfort to trauma victims.
“Norm Maleng left a tremendous legacy of compassion and advocacy both in the Prosecutor’s Office and in his personal work with trauma victims and their families. This building is a fitting tribute to him and an asset to the community.”
In 1989, Maleng’s young daughter, Karen, received care at Harborview for injuries suffered during a sledding accident. Following her death, Maleng and his wife, Judy, became leading community advocates for Harborview’s role in providing emergency care for patients and support services for their families.
“The Maleng Building gives us an opportunity to greatly expand our service to the community,” said Johnese Spisso, Harborview interim executive director and UW vice president for medical affairs. “The amenities and space enhance our ability to deliver outstanding medical care in a patient- and family-centered environment. The project also provides for major seismic improvements to our campus that will ensure our readiness to respond after an earthquake as the disaster control hospital for Seattle and King County.”
In September 2000, King County voters passed a $193 million bond measure that included funding for the Maleng Building, an expanded Emergency Department and earthquake stabilization at Harborview.
The Maleng Building is built to the highest seismic standards. It provides Harborview with eight more operating rooms, 50 additional inpatient beds and space for acute care, rehabilitation and clinic services. A sixstory bridge building connects to the main hospital across the street. It includes waiting areas for patients and visitors with sweeping views of Mount Rainier.
Harborview is continuing to grow with construction on the Ninth and Jefferson Building. Scheduled to open in 2009, this 14-story tower will be home to expanded centers of excellence in neurosciences, orthopedics, vision and eye, spine, sleep, the UW Department of Global Health and vital King County services.
Visit http://uwmedicine.washington.edu/Facilities/Harborview/ for more information.
