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Join the future of health care in New Mexico at our new Critical Care Tower.

A Place Where Patients, Providers and Employees Can Feel at Home

The Critical Care Tower increases the overall hospital capacity for patients and provides the opportunity for health professionals to build careers at the medical facility of the future. Every inch of the 684,000-square-foot structure has been meticulously designed to improve the UNM Hospital experience for patients, providers and employees.

UNM Hospital Critical Care Tower

Region's Only Level 1 Trauma Center

As the region’s only Level 1 trauma center, safety net hospital and academic research institution, no one provides the level of care and service that patients and families receive at UNM Hospital (UNMH).

New Mexicans from across the state come to UNMH every day to access the services that only we provide, especially in trauma and critical care. The demand for these unique services continues to grow every year. That’s why we embarked on the largest public construction project in New Mexico history to date—the Critical Care Tower (CCT).

Since its announcement in 2019, the CCT has been on the minds of everyone involved with New Mexico health, from professionals to patients. By bringing nine state-of-the-art hospital levels of care and a new parking structure to UNMH, we strengthen our mission of providing high-quality health care for New Mexico residents now and in the future.

Imagine Yourself Here

Every detail of the Critical Care Tower has been carefully crafted to enhance the experience for everyone.

  • Our patients
  • Our providers
  • Our employees

In 2025, UNMH will open our doors to a state-of -the-art nine-level facility.

  • Spacious common areas with an abundance of natural light to supplement healing
  • Sky Campus with learner, wellness and education spaces
  • And much more

The expansion of our ICU will ensure that New Mexico's sickest patients receive state-of-the-art care to drive better outcomes.

  • 96 new ICU beds
  • Imaging and medical equipment for every level

Our state-of-the-art adult emergency department is growing both in size and efficiency.

  • 68 ED exam rooms plus Behavioral Health exam rooms
  • The helipad provides direct access to the ED helping New Mexicans with the most traumatic injuries

The highly anticipated CCT is proud to house the most advanced and futuristic surgical suites in the state.

  • 18 operating rooms that combine cutting-edge technology with strategic design
  • The suites are set up to provide educational and consultative opportunities during procedures

Advancing care with a next-generation Interventional Platform

  • 4 Catheterization Labs
  • 6 Interventional Radiology Suites
  • 18 operating rooms
  • 73 post-anesthesia care rooms (PACUs)

In our own words

As a patient advocate, the expansion of UNM Hospital will allow more health care to be delivered to the community, which will enable patient advocacy to make sure that patients' voices are heard. Access to more health care resources can be nothing but universally beneficial. 

Georgina, Patient Advocate

Imagine Yourself Here

UNM Hospital’s Critical Care Tower is comprised of nine levels, each with their own purpose. Scroll through this slideshow for a glimpse.

Emergency Department waiting area

LOWER LEVEL

  • Adult Emergency Department
  • Staff Team Rooms
  • Collaborative Workstations
  • Emergency Management

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of the main lobby

LEVEL 1

  • Main Lobby
  • Admissions
  • Gift Shop
  • Imaging Suite
  • Native American Health Services

< Artist Rendering >

Picture of the nurse station

LEVEL 2

  • Sterile Processing
  • Laboratory
  • CafĂ©
  • Meditation Room
  • Chapel
  • Pharmacy
  • Staff Break Areas

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of Main Hospital Lab

LEVEL 3

  • 4 Catheterization Labs
  • 6 Interventional Radiology Suites
  • 18 Operating Rooms
  • 73 Pre/Post-Anesthesia Care Units (PACUs)

< Artist Rendering >

Photo of the hospital's breakroom

LEVEL 4

  • Sky Campus
  • Training Rooms
  • Conference Rooms
  • Staff Break Areas
  • On-Call Rooms
  • Staff Locker Rooms

< Artist Rendering >

Patient bedroom with medical devices

LEVELS
5 & 6

  • Adult Intensive Care Units (96 Beds)
  • Staff Respite Rooms
  • Collaborative Workstations

< Artist Rendering >

Patient bedroom with medical devices

LEVELS
7 & 8

  • Universal hospital beds (96)
  • Open date TBA

< Artist Rendering >

Helicopter on the roof of the tower

LEVEL 9:
ROOF

  • Helipad
  • Mechanical

< Artist Rendering >

UNM Hospital Tower (Albuquerque, NM)

Yesterday’s Dreams Become Tomorrow’s Reality

Here is a brief timeline of how our vision for building the hospital of the future in New Mexico has progressed over the years.

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1952

The Federal Contract between UNMH, Indian Health Services and Bernalillo County is established to provide high-quality, compassionate care for both Native Americans and Bernalillo County residents in New Mexico.

small hospital icon

1954

The Bernalillo County Indian Hospital (BC-I) opens.

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1968

BC-I becomes the Bernalillo County Medical Center (BCMC).

large hospital icon

1979

BCMC becomes The University of New Mexico Hospital and commences the start of UNMH as an academic medical center.

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2017

The pre-planning process of the tower begins.

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2020

In August, roadwork begins to reroute traffic to maintain hospital access during construction.

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2021

January: Construction of new parking structure begins.

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2021

Fall: Construction of Critical Care Tower begins.

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2022

Parking structure opens to the public in June.

hospital with helipad icon

2025

Spring: Estimated Completion of Construction

If you wish to see a live feed of the construction of the new tower.

Visit our live feed here.

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