IDENTIFIED CHALLENGES
To capture additional market share and consolidate practices into one convenient location, MIMA (Melbourne Internal Medical Associates) wanted to create a multi-specialty clinic in an underserved area of Melbourne/Brevard County, Florida. But MIMA’s vision involved more than just establishing a typical new medical office building. They wanted a striking facility that paid tribute to the community and made patients feel welcome within a comfortable and beautiful setting. Specific project objectives included the following:
- Combine 12 facilities to improve operational efficiency and provide a convenient one-stop medical center to residents
- Establish a design encouraging collaboration between primary care doctors and specialists
- Implement speed-to-market methods for an expedited construction schedule
- Provide attractive features to enhance not just the patient experience but the staff experience as well
- Include architectural elements that signal the facility’s connection to the larger community
- Allow for a flexible design that enables convenient expansion or downsizing of departments
APPROACH / OUTCOME
ERDMAN provided MIMA with planning, design and construction services, which included a number of speed-to-market strategies. In particular, a tilt-up concrete method enabled faster construction time—and yet still allowed for aesthetic wall features such as attractive scoring, ample windowing, and a stucco-like concrete coating. Outcomes have included numerous successes, including the following:
- New market share in an expanding area
- A team-oriented design that places physician offices on the exterior corridors of the suites, promoting open-door communication and collaboration
- Centralized nursing stations that have reduced staff number and increased efficiencies for physician and patient support
- A stunning canopied main entry standing as a gateway to the community, complemented by a beautifully landscaped courtyard and healing garden for patient and staff use
- Straightforward way-finding using a main corridor that affords window views and includes additional directional cues and strategic curving
- Standardized rooms and built-in modularity have allowed departmental changes without incurring renovation costs
Rather than create an imposing institutional atmosphere, the expansive MIMA/Health First Medical Group facility provides an exceptional patient experience within a captivating and soothing environment. Health First, Central Florida’s only fully integrated health system, acquired MIMA in 2013 to form Health First Medical Group.
QUICK FACTS
- Location: Melbourne, FL
- 200,000 SF multi-specialty clinic
- Internal medicine, cardiology, pediatrics, general surgery, imaging, wellness clinic, diagnostics, and lab
- Data center, valet parking, on-site retail pharmacy, and delicatessen
- Total Cost Phase 1: $15,839,152
- Total Cost Phase 2: $33,401,654
- Completion: 2010