OREANDA-NEWS.  Kaiser Permanente’s new Chino Grand Medical Office Building reached a major milestone in construction this week with a beam signing and “topping off” event. Adorned with an American flag, a palm tree and signatures from Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino County Area leaders, staff, physicians, contractors and construction workers, the final steel beam was raised into place on the structure at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21.

“Today’s beam signing event marks a key milestone in Kaiser Permanente’s investment into the Chino community,” Greg Christian, senior vice president, area manager. “We are looking forward to moving into the next phases of construction and are committed to providing innovative care and convenient access to health care for our members who live and work in San Bernardino County’s west end.”

The tradition of attaching a tree and flag to the final structural beam has been practiced by construction workers for over 1,000 years. Among many thoughts, the tree — typically an evergreen but in honor of our Southern California location a palm tree — is said to symbolize growth, life and good luck, and the flag of course is displayed as a patriotic symbol.

When complete, Kaiser Permanente’s Chino Grand Medical Offices will be a 50,000 square foot, three-story medical office building, with 57 exam rooms and 42 physician offices. Primary and Specialty Care services will include Primary Care, Optometry, Behavioral Health, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Imaging and a Nurse Treatment Center.

The new facility is designed to serve as a “Health Hub” for members and the community. The space will feel open, warm and welcoming, and will serve as a local resource for healthy living.

“Members and patients are at the center of everything we do,” said Timothy Jenkins, MD, area medical director and chief of staff. “The new technology we’ll be utilizing at this facility is like nothing ever seen before. We’re working to integrate technology and wellness programming to make our patients healthier and happier.”

Patients entering the new Chino Grand Medical Offices can expect an experience that looks and feels completely different from any medical visit they’ve had in the past. New features and technology will include digital membership cards and express check-in, mobile physician workstations (tablets and other devices), and an enhanced environment that includes tele-consultation capabilities, and waiting areas that educate, entertain and reinforce Kaiser Permanente’s thrive brand.

The Chino Grand Medical Office Building is under construction on the site of a former movie theater, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Roswell Avenue in Chino. It is scheduled to welcome members in early 2017.

Kaiser Permanente’s San Bernardino County Service Area has provided comprehensive, affordable health care to the Inland Empire for 70 years and serves more than 550,000 members. The San Bernardino County Service Area includes the Kaiser Foundation Hospitals in Fontana and Ontario, and medical offices in Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Colton, Claremont, Montclair, Chino, San Bernardino, Victorville, Redlands and Upland.