By
Blake Smith
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Center is a dream come true, Likins says
Scaffolding and fences surrounding the new UA Sarver Heart Center were removed just in time for its formal dedication Saturday morning, which drew nearly 800 doctors, donors and Tucson community members.
A ceremony complete with a band and multiple speakers was followed by a guided tour of the new addition, which sits atop the College of Medicine building.
"A dream is being realized today," University of Arizona President Peter Likins said. "It is a dream of a heart center that is worthy of the community and the faculty and researchers that have been drawn here."
That dream, which has been a 15 year crusade for the faculty and nearly 5,000 donors, has finally been realized in the new $9.7 million building.
"I don't think you'd be here if it was just another state facility," he added.
Dr. Gordon Ewy, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center, said "buildings just don't happen."
"The Sarver Heart Center is a real community effort," Ewy added.
He said it took extensive planning and attention to detail to make the facility a reality.
The new three-floor, 36,400-square-foot facility will include "wet labs" for conducting chemical research, "dry labs" for computer analysis of project results, administration offices, and a computer learning center.
The addition consolidates many of the center's 100 doctors and faculty as well.
People gathered Saturday to celebrate this first step towards a future free of heart disease, said Dr. Jack Copeland, UA professor of surgery.
"I am sure the Sarver Heart Center will become one of the top-10 research facilities in the nation," Copeland added.
At the end of the ceremony, 7-year-old Carlos Ochoa of Nogales, who was the first United States recipient of the artificial Berlin Heart, and World War II veteran Bill Thoman, who "took responsibility for his health" and no longer has a high risk of heart disease, cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the new center.
Because the center's elevators have not been yet approved for use, people wanting a tour had to walk up stairs.
Helen Lovaas, one of the largest donors for the new facility, said walking up stairs has one major health benefit.
"I am told it is good for your heart," Lovaas added.
