UHS Wilson Main Tower celebrates 1 year as symbol of healthcare innovation

Nearly one year after opening its doors, the UHS Wilson Main Tower at UHS Wilson Medical Center has become a defining symbol of a new era in healthcare for the Greater Binghamton region.

Since the official opening on June 26, 2024, more than 250,000 visitors have entered the Tower’s welcoming entrance — a powerful sign the community is embracing a healthcare experience focused on access, innovation, and compassion.

The 183,000-square-foot facility, which now serves as the “front door” to the UHS Wilson Medical Center campus, has dramatically transformed the way patients access care. Thoughtfully designed to support comfort, efficiency, and innovation, the Tower enhances the overall patient experience, empowers clinical teams, and reflects a deep sense of community pride.

“The Tower is the culmination of years of planning, dedication, and teamwork,” said UHS President and Chief Executive Officer John M. Carrigg. “It represents a shared vision fully realized — one that supports both the evolving needs of our patients and the professionals who care for them. We have witnessed this firsthand during its inaugural year.”

With its state-of-the-art technology, patient-centered design, and thoughtful integration into the existing Johnson City campus, the Wilson Main Tower is quickly becoming a landmark in local healthcare – and a lasting investment in the region’s health and well-being.

Improved access at the center of our community

Strategically located on Main Street, the Wilson Main Tower streamlines access to UHS Wilson Medical Center, serving as a modern, convenient gateway for emergency care, inpatient services, and more. The new entrance, located off Harrison Street, features free valet parking and a designated drop-off area to ensure a low-stress arrival for patients and visitors.

Inside, UHS Ambassadors — friendly volunteers stationed in the main lobby — help guide patients to their destinations, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience from the moment they arrive.

But the Tower is more than a physical entry point. It serves as the anchor of a centralized hub of vital services offered by UHS, all located on Main Street in Johnson City, including:

• UHS Pharmacy Johnson City – Located just across the street, this full-service, 24/7 pharmacy serves UHS patients and the public, providing round-the-clock access to vital medications.

• UHS Child Care Center – Housed at 619 Main Street, this Bright Horizons-affiliated center offers early education and care for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years, supporting both UHS employees and community families.

Each of these new locations experienced extraordinary success in their first year of operation, underscoring the critical need for these services in the community, and reaffirming UHS’ commitment to expanding access to essential resources that support the health, well-being, and future of our families.

A restorative healing environment that puts patients first

Every element of the Wilson Main Tower was crafted with healing in mind. The facility includes 120 private inpatient rooms designed to be a sanctuary of healing. Each room features its own dedicated private bathroom, and tall windows that allow for an abundance of natural light, providing a sense of comfort and security that is essential to the healing process.

In addition to the architecture, more than 200 original artworks by local Southern Tier artists line the hospital’s walls, offering patients and families a sense of calm and connection during their care journey.

For staff, the Tower features a modern clinical layout that improves privacy, reduces noise, and enhances workflow efficiency — creating an optimal environment for delivering safe, compassionate, and consistent care.

Innovation at the forefront of treatment

More than just the tallest structure in the Johnson City skyline, the Wilson Main Tower also puts cutting-edge medical technology front and center. Atop the facility sits a state-of-the-art helipad, linked directly to the Emergency & Trauma Center via a dedicated elevator. Outfitted with a snow-melting surface and remote-controlled lighting, the helipad supports rapid, safe transport of critically ill or injured patients — further advancing UHS’ capabilities as a Level II trauma center.

Within the walls of the hospital, new technologies are bringing the latest advancements in care to our community. Each private room of the Wilson Main Tower features a system of digital displays called pCare, which present a wide variety of information for the benefit of patients, their families, and the physicians, nurses, and other practitioners helping them heal. The new hospital also features a state-of-the-art, inpatient MRI scanner, which can scan patients faster and more efficiently than previous equipment.

In conjunction with the opening of the Tower last year, UHS Wilson Medical Center became the first hospital in the Greater Binghamton area to offer Ion robotic bronchoscopy, a state-of-the-art tool used in the early detection of lung cancer. In April of this year, the UHS Pulmonary team performed its 100th procedure with the Ion – a remarkable milestone that underscores the innovative care being administered every day by the teams at UHS Wilson Medical Center.

To find out more about the innovative technologies driving advanced care at the Wilson Main Tower, click here.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce the final phase of this project – the completion of the new Wilson Main Tower Emergency Department, planned for the month of July. This expansion will add 19 additional private treatment rooms to the Emergency Department, further enhancing our ability to provide timely, high-quality care in critical situations. The new space is designed to improve patient flow, reduce wait times, and ensure a more comfortable, efficient experience for both patients and staff.

Reaching new heights for many years to come

In just 12 months, the Wilson Main Tower has redefined healthcare expectations in Greater Binghamton — and its impact continues to grow.

From easier access and improved comfort to groundbreaking medical innovation and expanded community services, the Tower reflects a bold, long-term vision: advancing patient-centered healthcare in Greater Binghamton.

As UHS celebrates this important milestone, we remain focused on elevating patient care, supporting our community, and serving generations to come.

For more information about the UHS Wilson Medical Center and the Wilson Main Tower, visit nyuhs.org.