MESA, Ariz. (May 6, 2008) A “topping off” ceremony was held to mark placement of the final structural beams atop the seven-story pediatric patient tower being built to house Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center.

More than 400 Banner employees, community members and construction team members celebrated the construction milestone.

Prior to the ceremony, staff, physicians, patients and visitors had a chance to sign the beams, which were on display in the hospital. During the ceremony, former Banner Children’s patients Shannon Smith, Alexis Ross, Nathaniel Ross, Kayla Juric and Kaylee Mesneak were invited to sign the beams right before they were hoisted into the sky by a crane and fastened to the steel structure.

“We are so grateful to these children and their families for joining us today and helping us celebrate this significant milestone,” said Rhonda Anderson, interim CEO and pediatric service line administrator. “Having them here symbolizes our purpose and reminds us that everything we do is centered around the unique needs of children when they are sick and vulnerable.”

Norm Saba, MD, chair of Pediatrics, said the topping off ceremony was another milestone to mark the growth of Banner Children’s Hospital at Banner Desert Medical Center.

“It is a privilege for us to be able to provide excellent health care to the children in this community, and to build this tower so we can meet the growing need for that care in the future,” said Saba.

As part of the ceremony, Jim Pullen from Kitchell, the company overseeing construction of the tower, explained the significance of a topping off. “Topping off ceremonies are held to mark the completion of the highest point of steel construction on a tower,” he said. “It is customary to sign the final beam(s) and to include a tree and U.S. flag on the beam during the actual raising ceremony. The tree is a symbolic gesture of good will and luck for the construction project.”