Construction on Upstate Medical’s Nappi Wellness Institute is “nearly half complete”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Construction on the Nappi Wellness Institute across East Adams Street from Upstate Cancer Center is “nearly half complete,” Upstate Medical University said.

The medical school and health-care provider acknowledged the progress on the building construction with a recent ceremonial beam raising and tree-topping ceremony, per a news release on the Upstate website.

The facility — standing more than 100 feet tall — will be the centerpiece of Upstate Medical University’s ambulatory care, serving as home to nearly a dozen medical specialties from mental health, pediatrics, family medicine, and others.

One of the building’s “key” elements is its focus on geriatrics. It will include an expansion of Upstate’s Geriatrics Clinic, with an “enhanced” focus on Alzheimer’s disease and brain health.

The clinical portion of the New York State Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s disease will relocate to this building, which will provide additional space for neuropsychological testing, physical therapy.

“With the expansion of our clinical space and integration of multiple disciplines we’re going to be able to offer a comprehensive one-stop shopping place for the evaluation for older adults of people with memory problems, and that’s a very special thing for us to have in Central New York,” Dr. Sharon Brangman, distinguished service professor and chair of the department of geriatrics, said.

Carol Nappi, whose family provided the naming gift for the building, “cheered Brangman’s interest in supporting this population and the building’s special focus,” Upstate said.

“It is reported that Alzheimer’s will cost the nation nearly $400 billion in 2021, including $240 billion in Medicare and Medicaid,” Nappi said. “At present, someone in the [U.S.] develops Alzheimer’s every 60 seconds. It is thought by the year 2050 someone in this country will develop the disease every 33 seconds. Clearly with a longer living aging population in America this is a tsunami rapidly affecting our society.”

Before the steel beam was raised to the top of the building, Nappi signed the beam on behalf of herself and family, further putting their mark and expressing their enthusiasm for the building, which is set to open in 2023.

Another element of the building that has the endorsement of the Nappi family is the incorporation of WELL Building Standards in its design.

The WELL Building Standard certification seeks to optimize health and well-being in seven areas: air, comfort, fitness, light, mind, nourishment, and water. Upstate officials believe this building “will be only one of a few health-care facilities in the country” to receive WELL Building Standard certification.