New IU Health Bloomington opens without a hitch

After years of planning and construction, it took less than one day to move nearly 150 patients to the new IU Health Bloomington, located at 2651 E. Discovery Parkway.

On Sunday, Dec. 5, team members were on hand at the legacy hospital and the new hospital to make sure the transfers by a string of ambulances went seamlessly.

The first transferred patient to arrive at the new IU Health Bloomington was Jenna Kenny, who is 31 weeks pregnant and expecting twin boys. Nurses at the new hospital made her room festive with holiday decorations and gave her a children’s book as a gift.

"Being the first patient is pretty exciting," Kenny said. "My first impression, everything looks so different. Nice and modern, I love all the Christmas decorations, and little presents they left me. That was cute.”

The day was topped off with the birth of the first baby born in the hospital, Nahla Ramirez, who arrived at 11:15 am.

Brian Shockney, IU Health South Central Region President, presented a gift to Nahla and family for being the inaugural baby at the new hospital.