Yale University has celebrated a significant milestone in the construction of its $838 million Adams Neurosciences Center in New Haven. The project, located on the Yale New Haven Hospital's Saint Raphael’s campus, is designed to rapidly address stroke emergencies, allowing for immediate clot-busting treatment as soon as patients are transported to the facility.

Dr. Murat Gunel, the chief of neurosurgery at Yale New Haven Health, emphasized the importance of timely intervention for stroke victims, stating, “We try to educate everybody, saying ‘time is brain.’ The time that you come after the onset of stroke symptoms to treatment not only determines how well you're going to recover … but also the risk of complications.”

The “topping off” ceremony held Wednesday marked a key point in construction for the new neuroscience center, which will be the largest healthcare project in Connecticut’s history. A steel girder, adorned with signatures, a U.S. flag, and a Christmas tree, was raised to the eighth floor of the building, with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker and hospital representatives present.

Set to open in 2027, the 184-bed facility will feature an expanded emergency department, two new patient towers with neurological intensive care units, treatment areas, and rehabilitation spaces. A new parking garage will also be constructed nearby. This development is part of a broader $1 billion investment by Yale New Haven Health in the Saint Raphael’s campus since the acquisition of the former Catholic hospital in 2012.

Yale New Haven Health CEO Chris O'Connor remarked on the transformation, saying, “It is just remarkable, the transformation that has taken place.” When completed, the center will provide comprehensive care for neurological diseases such as strokes, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s, serving as the region's largest dedicated neuroscience facility. Named after Stephen Adams, a Parkinson’s patient and philanthropist who passed away earlier this year, the center will also focus on integrating innovative treatments into patient care, including advances in gene therapy, ultrasound, and deep brain stimulation.

Dr. Gunel highlighted the potential of Yale’s medical research, stating, “Yale is a major center for gene therapies for Parkinson's to other neurodevelopmental disorders, and we are looking to translate all of these to our patients here.” The center aims to offer highly personalized care for patients facing complex neurological challenges.