Norman Regional Health System

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Inspire Health Moves Forward

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, Norman’s City Council approved Norman Regional Health System to move forward and seek bond funding for its Inspire Health plan.

The bond issuance is “the first domino” to fall to begin this transformational plan, said Richie Splitt, President and CEO of Norman Regional Health System.

Inspire Health’s core recommendations are:

  • Expanding the HealthPlex campus and consolidating some services to the HealthPlex
  • Free-standing emergency department built on the eastside of Norman
  • Ambulatory Care Pavilion and Cancer Center built by the HealthPlex
  • Behavioral Health Center on the Porter Health Village
  • Revitalization of the Norman Regional Hospital (Porter) campus

The first three Inspire Health components are scheduled for completion by 2023.

The next steps for the Inspire Health Plan include:

  • Going to the bond market to issue a revenue bond at $120 million to fund portions of Inspire Health
  • Closing on the land in southeast Norman where the new, freestanding Emergency Department will be built
  • The hiring of both an architecture and construction firm to create plans and lead the building of the core components
  • Meeting with key stakeholders and subject matter experts to round out and finalize plans for expansion of the HealthPlex campus
  • Begin community dialogue and master planning for the Porter Health Village

For anyone interested in learning more about Inspire Health, there is a Community Forum planned for 9-10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 in the Education Center and others are being scheduled.