Over his 24 years at Conco, Senior Superintendent Paul Cumblidge has helped bring countless projects to life. But one stands above the rest: Ascension Via Christi St. Francis’ South Tower.

“It was the first project I worked on as a superintendent,” said Paul. “I’m pretty proud of this one.”

The South Tower renovation involved approximately 12,500 square feet across five active, fully occupied hospital floors. Each level underwent a complete gut and remodel, including installation of new HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, fire alarm, nurse call, medical gas systems, and exterior patient room windows.

What made this project especially complex wasn’t just the scope — it was the setting.

Working in an active healthcare environment means patient care is always the top priority. Before any demolition began, Conco’s team proactively traced and investigated every system to prevent service interruptions to occupied areas. As work progressed, crews frequently had to shut down patient rooms on floors below to route new power feeds, plumbing, and HVAC tie-ins, all requiring weeks of advance planning.

Coordination was critical. Conco worked closely with hospital leadership, clinical teams, Infection Control, Life Safety, KDHE, and OSFM to schedule shutdowns, reroute systems, and ensure full compliance with safety and infection control standards. Every step had to be meticulously planned to avoid disrupting patient care.

“In healthcare, what we do can have a major impact on other people’s lives,” Paul said. “You have to be thinking weeks in advance and walk through every possible scenario.”

Today, the South Tower reflects that effort; modernized, state-of-the-art healthcare spaces that meet the latest facility standards while supporting improved patient care.

For Paul, the project represents more than technical execution. It marked a pivotal step in his career and demonstrated the level of foresight, coordination and responsibility required when building in environments where every detail matters.

And more than two decades later, it’s still a project he’s incredibly proud of.