The State of Alabama recently committed $500,000 to the renovation and expansion of the Pediatric Emergency Center at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital in Mobile. This brings the state’s investment to $1 million in the project, which will double the current emergency department from 9,000 square feet to nearly 19,000 square feet and expand treatment areas from 14 to more than 30. The project will also create two behavioral health rooms and a sensory room to enhance the care for patients with specialized needs.
The Pediatric Emergency Center is the only health care facility in the region offering specialized care 24-hours a day, seven days a week and staffed with pediatric emergency medicine physicians.
“This project will enable us to have state-of-the-art facilities that match the high-quality care that we uniquely provide to the children in our region,” said Owen Bailey, CEO of USA Health. “Additionally, we have the opportunity to train future generations of care providers so that we can meet the emergent healthcare needs of children not only today, but well into the future.”
The initial estimated cost of the renovation, construction and equipment for the project is $15 million. With the most recent state appropriation, USA Health has raised more than $10 million through donations. The project will take approximately two years to complete, after receiving state approval. USA Health is appearing before the Certificate of Need Review Board on June 16 seeking approval for this project.
