Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has opened a new critical care facility, the Julie Ann Freischlag Tower, on its medical center campus in Winston-Salem.

The seven-story, 327,000-square-foot building represents a $426 million investment aimed at expanding emergency and intensive care services across Northwest North Carolina.

Named in honor of Dr. Julie Ann Freischlag, the health system's outgoing CEO and a longtime vascular surgeon, the facility includes a new adult emergency department, 28 operating rooms, and 56 adult ICU beds, including trauma and cardiovascular units. Additional features include pre- and postsurgical units, multiple MR, CT and X-ray machines, and a sterile processing department.
Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, called the tower “a promise fulfilled,” emphasizing the health system’s commitment to advancing care in the region. “With leading-edge technology, expanded access to emergency and intensive care, and a setting designed for comfort and healing, the Julie Ann Freischlag Tower will provide the very best care when you need it most,” Woods said.

Dr. Freischlag, who will retire at the end of the year, joined Wake Forest Baptist as CEO in 2017 and later served as dean of Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Over her four-decade career, she has held leadership roles at several academic medical institutions and is known for her work treating thoracic outlet syndrome.

“The Freischlag Tower will transform the way we care for patients with traumatic injuries or critical conditions that need immediate treatment,” said Dr. David Zaas, president of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.

The building will open in phases over the coming weeks and is expected to be fully operational by fall. The design was led by HKS and CPL, with construction by Brasfield & Gorrie in partnership with Frank L. Blum Construction Company.

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