With help from both the bond and federal grants, construction began on the new hospital in 1974. A year later, the hospital and the medical school signed a joint affiliation agreement. The new hospital on a site opened in April 1977 with 355-beds. A larger rehabilitation center and the first class of the four-year medical students also started that year. A neonatal intensive care unit was established and East Carolina University (ECU) opened the Family Practice Center in 1978. A year later, a cardiac catheterization lab opened. The first kidney transplant was performed here in 1981 and the 138-bed West tower opened a year later. Level II trauma designation was achieved in 1983. The hospital performed its first open heart surgery in 1984. EastCare, the medical ground and helicopter transport, Level I trauma designation, Magnetic resonance imaging and laser surgery all began in 1985. The School of Medicine's and the hospital's pediatric services were all consolidated to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Carolina in 1986. By 1987, the hospital employed 2,300 people with 560 beds. The Ronald McDonald House began construction that year.