Topping out marks major milestone

The new IU Health Fort Wayne hospital has officially “topped out," a key construction milestone marking the placement of the final steel beam at the highest point of the building. This long-standing tradition represents years of planning, collaboration, and progress coming to life.

On July 16, team members, construction crews, and project partners gathered on site to celebrate the moment. Before the beam was raised, it was covered in handwritten messages of hope, gratitude, and excitement.

Some messages came from experienced nurses, proud of their calling and energized by what this new space will make possible. Others were written by new team members, excited to be part of something built from the ground up. A few even came from patients, reminders of who this hospital is truly for.

To date, the hospital includes more than 10,000 cubic yards of concrete, 2,000 tons of structural steel, and over 200 tons of reinforcing rebar. But as IU Health Fort Wayne President Brian Bauer shared, the real foundation is something deeper.

“This will be the place where families come in their most uncertain moments and leave with answers and hope,” Bauer said. “We’re doing more than building a hospital. We’re shaping a promise to this community.”

Construction began in September 2024 and is now well underway. With the vertical structure complete, the hospital remains on track for a 2027 opening. When finished, the facility will include 140 inpatient beds, 17 emergency room exam rooms, six operating rooms, three catheterization labs, four endoscopy suites, and a medical office building. Work continues steadily, with each milestone moving the project closer to a space designed to support high-quality, comprehensive care for the community.

Learn more about the hospital and stay updated on the latest milestones here.