Providence Tarzana Medical Center Is Planning for the Next Big Quake

Providence Tarzana Medical Center is planning a 2½-year seismic upgrade that has been delayed since the Northridge earthquake, hospital officials told the Tarzana Neighborhood Council Tuesday.

“After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the hospital was in talks for a seismic renovation, but the plans have been postponed for years,” said Gerald Clute, chief executive officer.  “This hospital, during the earthquake didn’t suffer seismic damage. What we have done over the years is submit the plan but there were always extensions, but there are no more extensions and now we're going to start the project.”

Renovations will be completed in three phases,  Chief Operating Officer Phylls Bushart said. First will be the patient tower. 

“Second phase is the common area where the security and the gift shop will renovated,” said Bushart. “The third section is the cardiology department along with the second floor where the lab is.”

“We would have to clear out five beds [on] each level, during construction,” said Clute. “The issue we have is the noise, we are also currently looking at how the emergency room would operate during these constructions.”

Bushart did reassure that the maternity ward would be left alone. 

Construction will begin as soon as a contractor has been chosen, they said.