Scripps Encinitas Expands Care With New Lusardi Tower
New tower brings advanced technology and more capacity
New tower brings advanced technology and more capacity
Scripps is set to unveil a significant health care investment in North County: the new Lusardi Tower at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
Opening in late May, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet the region’s growing and evolving health care needs, offering innovative technology, expanded capacity and a patient-centered approach to care.
The completion of the 185,000-square-foot tower represents a major milestone in Scripps’ Here for Good Capital Campaign and its ambitious master plan to shape the future of health care delivery in the region for generations to come.
More hospital beds for North County patients
The addition of the Lusardi Tower increases the hospital’s total bed count to 237, providing much-needed space for patients in this rapidly growing area of North County.
“We’ve seen the demand for health care services at Scripps Encinitas steadily increase during the past decade. When the community grows, the depth and complexity of medical conditions also grow,” says Scott Eisman, MD, physician chief operating executive at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas.
“Scripps stepped up to make sure the hospital grew, too, and could provide advanced services. We’ve gone from a community hospital to a destination hospital, and that’s a testament to the care our teams provide.”
Kevin Shaw, MD, critical care medicine, and his team are planning for the move into the new 16-bed intensive care unit.
Advanced technology and private patient rooms
Advanced technology and private patient rooms
The Lusardi Tower is equipped with leading-edge technologies, advanced digital monitoring and private patient rooms.
Features include:
- 16-bed, advanced intensive care unit
- 36 private medical/surgical beds
- 16-bed postpartum unit connecting to the birth pavilion
- 26-bed perioperative unit for convenient care and monitoring of patients pre- and post-surgery
“Years ago, we had an eight-bed ICU and were treating critically ill patients,” says Dr. Eisman. “Now, we’re going to have the latest in monitoring technology, and with the way staff are configured, we can respond quickly and watch patients closely for any complications. State-of-the-art rooms and equipment will really enhance that.”
“And from a patient perspective, private rooms have become a preferred standard,” adds Steve Miller, RN, chief operations executive at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas. “Now, we’re building rooms not only for the patient and quality care but with the comfort of the family in mind. Expanding our footprint in this area will greatly improve patient satisfaction and provide families with an exceptional healing environment.”
The tower’s build out of services will be in several phases. In addition to what will open in May, continued expansion will include new surgical suites, a cardiac catheterization lab, an interventional pulmonary suite, an interventional radiology suite and advanced imaging capabilities.
Philanthropy helps expand Scripps Encinitas
The Lusardi Tower is named in honor of Debbie and Warner Lusardi, North County philanthropists and longtime supporters of Scripps Health, who made a generous $25 million leadership gift. Their donation has helped pave the way for this transformational expansion, which is part of Scripps’ Here for Good Campaign.
“Scripps was founded on philanthropy more than a hundred years ago, and to this day, it’s important to our mission,” says John B. Engle, corporate senior vice president and chief development officer at Scripps Health. “The leadership gift from the Lusardis set the standard, which has continued to inspire the community to support Scripps and the future of patient-centered health care in North County.”
Among the many other generous donors are Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas, whose contributions have named both the Jeannie and Gerry Ranglas Birth Pavilion and the Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas Intensive Care Unit.
Scripps plans for future grown in North County
The Lusardi Tower is just one piece of Scripps Health’s ambitious northern region facilities plan, which will guide growth during the next decade. Other planned projects include a new ambulatory facility and acute care hospital in San Marcos, as well as the transition of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla into an expanded regional medical center campus.
Philanthropy remains essential to Scripps’ ability to grow and innovate.
“Our supporters are people who love our community and see the connection between philanthropy and patient care. They’re not just funding a building or a piece of equipment — they’re working to make our community better,” says Dr. Eisman. “We feel so privileged to have such incredibly generous people who share our vision.”
This content appeared in San Diego Health, a publication in partnership between Scripps and San Diego Magazine that celebrates the healthy spirit of San Diego.