By Dan Hounsell, Senior Editor, Facility Market

COVID-19 delayed a host of construction projects nationwide as healthcare organizations diverted crucial resources elsewhere for the last 18 months. Now, one project is coming back to life in a major way. 

Work recently began on a new inpatient hospital being built on Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center's campus in Columbus that is designed to transform healthcare in the local community and in Ohio. Scheduled to open in early 2026, the $1.79 billion hospital is the largest single facilities project ever undertaken at Ohio State, with up to 820 beds in private room settings.

The restart event was held 10 months after construction started because the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a groundbreaking ceremony from being held when the project began. 

The inpatient hospital will include: 

• 60 neonatal intensive care unit bassinets
• state-of-the-art diagnostic, treatment and inpatient service areas -- imaging, operating rooms, critical care and medical/surgical beds
• leading-edge digital technologies to advance care and teaching
• enhanced connections between the new inpatient hospital and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute that also connects to Rhodes Hall, Doan Hall, the Ross Heart Hospital, and the Brain and Spine Hospital

Every patient room will have enough space for a family member to stay, and an indoor café and outdoor areas will provide restorative places for families to recharge.