Hudson Valley Area Welcomes New Orthopedic & Spine Center

By HCO Staff

WEST NYACK, N.Y.—Completed in June and designed by global architecture, design and planning firm Gensler; Aspect Health; and the Montefiore Design and Construction team, the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Orthopedic and Spine Center (MECOSC) provides access to advanced care for all musculoskeletal services in one central location.  

Nestled in the tree line atop a hill in West Nyack, N.Y., MECOSC redefines “healthcare hospitality,” delivering a collaborative, holistic healthcare experience for adult guests and the care team providers who support and care for them. 

Through housing multiple practices under one roof, the design of the 60,000-square-foot Center offers integrated comprehensive orthopedic care which includes clinical and surgical orthopedic offices, advanced orthopedic and spine imaging, a state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center, and expert physical rehabilitation services. Through an intentional, research-driven design approach, MECOSC’s optimized healthcare experience empowers guests, giving them ownership over the spaces where they are receiving care while aiming to minimize caregiver burnout and occupational stressors for the providers. 

The research measured the intended impact of design on a diverse group of users – including outpatients, caregiver families, physicians, and healthcare staff – to better understand local hospital performance and care delivery needs. Starting with the pre-visit interaction and extending from the lobby into the exam rooms, the findings were combined with principles of hospitality to design the next generation of health care facility. From pre-visit expectations to post-visit sentiments, the patient journey and physician experience are interwoven with the building site, programming, and design. 

Key Design Highlights: 

• In the lobby, a hanging sculpture above the soft seating area, which is composed of over 100 light totems made of mica and tinted acrylic, brings a hospitality touch – cascading from the ceiling to create a twinkle effect. 
• Throughout the center, nature motifs and organic, gradient patterns are found in wallcoverings and fabrics, while the muted, ombre color story creates a cohesive aesthetic between departments and common areas. 
• All department guest waiting areas are placed along the exterior of the floorplan, ensuring ample natural light enters these spaces.