Jennie Sealy Hospital Commissioning
Page provided building commissioning for the Jennie Sealy Hospital and Clinical Services Wing at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas—a key component of UTMB’s reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Ike.
Designed with resilience, sustainability, and operational efficiency in mind, this 13-story, 764,000-square-foot, $438 million facility includes 316 patient rooms, 60 intensive care rooms, 20 surgical suites, and a 28-bed day surgery center. A rigorous commissioning process and comprehensive design review optimized systems, ensuring the facility operates at peak efficiency while maintaining the durability needed to withstand severe weather.
The Jennie Sealy Replacement Hospital was designed for resilience, sustainability, and long-term efficiency. A rigorous commissioning process ensured these strategies perform reliably under everyday conditions and extreme weather events.
Flood protection by elevation
With coastal flooding as a key concern, the hospital’s design keeps critical operations safe. Patient care and essential services are elevated to the second floor, 25 feet above sea level, while mechanical systems are securely housed on the seventh floor. The Page Commissioning team reviewed these design choices to verify they would protect vital infrastructure and maintain hospital operations during severe storms.
Optimized for efficiency
Energy efficiency was a priority from the start. A high-performance building envelope, underfloor air distribution (UFAD) system, and total energy recovery wheel improve performance and reduce energy waste. The commissioning process played a crucial role in fine-tuning these systems—validating airflow, minimizing losses, and ensuring seamless integration with hospital operations.
A comprehensive commissioning approach gave the project team confidence that the hospital operates reliably, efficiently, and sustainably—supporting uninterrupted patient care for years to come.
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