News

Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's Julie Ann Freischlag Tower, a seven-story, 327,000-square-foot critical care facility, marked its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 23, 2025, concluding a $426 million construction journey that elevates emergency and intensive care services for the Triad and Northwest North Carolina. Initially approved as a $450 million project in 2021 to address growing regional healthcare demands, the tower expanded to include 56 adult intensive care rooms--focused on trauma and cardiovascular care--alongside 28 state-of-the-art operating rooms equipped with 4K screens, cameras, and integrated technologies for minimally invasive procedures, an upgraded adult emergency department with enhanced imaging suites featuring multiple MRI, CT, and X-ray machines, pre- and post-surgical units, and a new sterile processing department.

At the heart of the tower are its 28 operating rooms, configured for hybrid procedures with advanced fluoroscopy and endoscopy capabilities, supported by our medical gas and purified water systems to maintain precision in high-stakes surgeries. The expanded emergency department, which opened in April 2025 and spans a dedicated floor, offers rapid access for trauma cases, while the ICU floors feature specialized pods for cardiovascular and critical care, all optimized with HEPA-filtered HVAC, redundant power systems, and smart controls aiming for 10-15% energy savings through zoned lighting and climate management.

The tower's budget refined from an initial $450 million to $426 million by completion, incorporating value engineering and local sourcing for over 60% of materials within 200 miles, enhancing economic benefits for Winston-Salem. Named in honor of Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag, the retiring CEO of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and a pioneering vascular surgeon with over 38 years in the field, the facility reflects her legacy in advancing equitable, high-quality care. "This tower represents our commitment to bringing the best care to all, right here in our community," said Dr. Freischlag at the opening. Previously, residents in the region often traveled farther for specialized trauma or cardiac services; now, the Julie Ann Freischlag Tower centralizes these, serving over 500,000 people with faster response times and integrated research from Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The design incorporates biophilic elements, such as nature-inspired artwork and light-filled atriums, to foster a healing atmosphere amid the critical care environment.

Precision Plumbing received verbal recognition from Timothy Dubyoski, a key project stakeholder: "A+ work, highest performing sub on the project." As the Julie Ann Freischlag Tower ramps up to full capacity, it exemplifies teamwork in healthcare infrastructure, with our extensive piping network underpinning reliable care delivery for years to come. We're proud to have played a vital role in a project that strengthens access to cutting-edge medicine in Northwest North Carolina. Future expansions could add more specialized units by 2030, further establishing Winston-Salem as a hub for academic health innovation.

Owner: Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

General Contractor: Joint Venture of Brasfield & Gorrie and Frank L. Blum Construction Company

Projected Completion Date: Fall 2025 (Full Operations)