Baptist Memorial Health Care and New Albany officials broke ground on Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County’s new emergency department on Friday, Aug. 16.
“Our team of colleagues and physicians begin today a new chapter in the history of this hospital,” said Walter Grace, administrator and CEO of Baptist Union County, during the groundbreaking ceremony. “I know I speak for all of our colleagues when I say thank you because you are the ones who have made this possible.”
The new department will have 22 treatment rooms, more than triple the number of rooms the current ED has. The addition will help the hospital accommodate the increasing number of patients coming for emergency care. During the past three years, the number of ED patients has increased by more than 20 percent.
“This new emergency department will be the front door of the hospital for many people,” said Stephen Reynolds, president and CEO of Baptist Memorial Health Care.” It will be the first impression that many patients and many families have. And it is our commitment to make the sure the care that is rendered in this emergency facility will exceed expectations of those who come to see us.”
The ED project is scheduled for completion in August 2014, and the existing ED will remain open and continue to treat patients during construction.