In July 2024, the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Modernization Project received approval from the UC Board of Regents to move forward with its campus modernization project and New Hospital Building (NHB).

But, because the new hospital will be constructed on the existing patient campus, several critical projects need to occur ahead of the NHB. This work includes the relocation of just under 500 people with 78 different moves.

As of January 2025, about half of the relocations are complete.

Cameron Hempstead, Project Manager on the Health Design & Construction (HD&C) team for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland (BCH Oakland), has led the effort since February 2024.

"I started by learning not only where and how people work today,” said Cameron. “But we also brainstormed together on how they could work in the future to ensure the moves we provided them would support them successfully.”

Planning the relocations required in-depth research into the existing facilities and collaboration with BCH Oakland staff, as well as planning small to medium renovation projects to support the moves.

The decanting involved more than 100,000 square feet and relocations of about 500 people on a campus that is over a century old.

Katie Walsh, Associate Director for Campus Modernization in Oakland, acknowledges the collaboration of the hospital and clinical teams who are impacted by relocations.

“This milestone reflects the incredible teamwork and adaptability of our hospital and clinical teams,” added Katie. “Their flexibility and commitment have been essential as we navigate these complex relocations to pave the way for our new hospital.”