Jefferson's newest building in Center City to focus on multiple health specialties

There will be an onsite lab, radiology services, and retail pharmacy. The facility stands as a major achievement as Jefferson Health celebrates its 200th anniversary.

“At Jefferson, we realize that if you’re going to lead health care into a new century, we need a new place to do it,” said Baligh R. Yehia, President of Jefferson Health. “We can’t create the future in facilities from the past.”

That new facility means patients can have multiple appointments in one location on the same day, instead of visiting different sites for varying specialties.

The Honickman Center also features digital whiteboards that allows doctors and patients to include off-site specialists and family members into the conversations virtually.

“Today, we begin bringing all that care under one roof,” said Jefferson CEO Joseph Cacchione, after noting the average patient dealing with chronic issues sees seven different doctors for treatment. “Thanks to the Honickman Center, it’s a one-stop shop for medical conditions. We’re going to make care more efficient, more customer-focused, and boost collaboration between our physicians.”

The $762 million project provided over 4,000 construction jobs and $25 million for the city in taxes and revenue.

The overall economic impact measured $772 million for the region. Once open in the spring, it will feature art installations from students from the Thomas Jefferson University Kanbar College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce, along with immersive art pieces in waiting rooms.

Three hundred parking spaces are in the underground garage, and there are pet-friendly areas available for service animals.

The center bears the name of the Honickman family, magnates in the beverage bottling field. The family’s name appears at other sites across the city, from Project Home in North Philadelphia to the Art Museum.

The Honickman name also graces Jefferson Health’s Breast Imaging Center two blocks south on 11th Street.

Wednesday’s announcement filled the plaza outside the new center, as hundreds basked in the warm sun and celebrated this accomplishment. Jefferson offered tours of the facilities following the ribbon cutting.

“It’s hard to find anybody today whose family and friends haven’t been touched by a serious health concern,” said Jeffrey Honickman, speaking on behalf of his family. “It is something that just stays with you, and it is why the patient-family experience is so important.”