MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Cheers, smiles, and celebration echoed the Medal of Honor main area that staged the ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton facility Jan 31.

“This greatly attended ribbon cutting was a tribute to what the project team has worked so hard for - the delivery of a world class facility to those who provide a mind-blowing volume of professional medical services to our warriors and their loved ones, said” Cmdr. Dude Underwood, resident officer in charge of construction, Replacement Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. “The unprecedented list of project successes in safety, quality, budget, and schedule are something that could not have happened without the tireless dedication of each person across a wide stakeholder community. We can all be proud of the role we played, and the award winning success we've enjoyed on this most special project.”

The Naval Hospital officially opened early December 2013 and has delivered more than 170 babies, conducted more than 458 surgeries, and dispensed more than 75,000 prescriptions. The average daily census of the wards and the emergency rooms are up 25 percent.

“The new Hospital at Camp Pendleton represents, for those of us who worked on the design and construction, the pinnacle of our professional career,” said Carlos Gonzalez, P.E., Vice President, Clark Concrete Contractors. “Not only did we have an opportunity to deliver a World Class facility, incorporating the latest technology and design innovations; in doing so we also honored our country's heroes. The ribbon cutting ceremony brought together all our efforts and gave us an incomparable sense of pride, seeing the Marines and their families being served at OUR hospital gave us more reward than we could have ever asked for. Thank you again, to the Navy and the Marines, to its war fighters and your families, we were humbled and honored to serve you at Camp Pendleton. Thank you!”

As of Jan 31 the Naval Hospital has conducted 7000 imaging studies including 900 CT and 250 MRI exams, transfused 30 units of blood, casted 350 limbs, dispensed 75,000 prescriptions including 50,000 new prescriptions plus an additional 15,000 inpatient medication fills and completed nearly 30,000 outpatient appointments. The ICU has had more patients in the last seven weeks than in the previous seven months.

“We thank the Navy for placing their trust and confidence in Clark/McCarthy to deliver this significant project,” said Richard Heim, president and CEO western region, Clark Construction Group.