GRAFTON, Wis., Nov. 2, 2026 – Aurora Health Care, part of Advocate Health, recently celebrated a topping out ceremony by placing the final steel beam of its 125,000-square-foot multi-floor tower expansion at Aurora Medical Center – Grafton, a project that upon completion will expand access to high quality, compassionate care to patients in southeast Wisconsin.
Hospital leadership, teammates, staff and various partners marked the occasion by signing the final beam that was then hoisted into place, signaling the completion of the tower’s exterior structure.
The new tower will include 84 new inpatient suites, an expanded emergency department, an IV therapy and wound care clinic, outpatient lab, centralized inpatient dialysis and rehabilitation spaces, additional imaging modalities, including MRI and CT, a conference center and coffee shop.
“This milestone is an exciting reflection of the future we are building together in Grafton. As this new tower takes shape, so does our vision to expand access to exceptional care and meet the needs of this growing community for generations to come,” said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle, president of Aurora Health Care and Advocate Health Wisconsin. “I’m incredibly proud of the physicians, nurses, teammates and partners whose expertise, compassion and commitment are bringing that vision to life. Together, we are creating more possibilities for our patients, families and communities to live healthier and thrive close to home.”
"This expansion is a significant investment in the future of care,” said Carla LaFever, president of Aurora Medical Center – Grafton. “We are creating greater capacity, improving access and strengthening our ability to care for this growing community, and we’re doing it the way meaningful progress is always made – together.”
Designed with an emphasis on healing, clinical excellence and comfort, Aurora Medical Center – Grafton offers a wide range of medical specialties, including comprehensive heart care, obstetric and gynecological care with 24/7 access to Ozaukee County’s only Level II neonatal intensive care unit, cancer care, orthopedics, neurological care, emergency and trauma care and the Hospital at Home program, which brings hospital-level care, monitoring and support directly to the patient in the comfort of their own home.
Aurora Medical Center – Grafton is routinely recognized for delivering safe, high-quality care, securing an “A” grade for excellence in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group on its Spring 2026 report card and being named one of U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked hospitals in the state.
The topping out ceremony is typically celebrated by leaders, construction crews and employees signing the final, highest structural beam on a building and putting it in place – marking the completion of the main framework.
The tower is scheduled to be completed in late 2027 and additional facility renovations completed in 2028.
Editor’s Note: Download photos here: https://we.tl/t-5TCGKCm8ckdVLCuZ
Media Contact:
Rachael Glaszcz
Rachael.Glaszcz@AdvocateHealth.org