Health & Wellness

Pictured at today’s official groundbreaking ceremony for Memorial Hospital’s new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department is, left to right: Michael Jordan, DO, Memorial Medical Staff President; Tom McCarthy, Union County Commissioner; Joel Ascher, MD, Emergency Department Medical Director; Leigh Anne Germani, Emergency Department Director; Spence Fisher, Memorial Health President/CEO; Corry Mason, Director of Facilities; Michael Forejt, DesignGroup; Jason Brett, Messer Construction Co.; Staci Hubbs; Chip Hubbs, CEO Emeritus; Ashley Boyer, Chief Nursing Officer; and Doug Loudenslager, Memorial Health Board Chair.

August 27, 2026 – As part of its ongoing expansion to create a new healthcare standard for residents of the region, Memorial Health today held a groundbreaking event for the system’s $56 million state-of-the-art emergency department (ED) project on its hospital campus.

“Whether a patient is experiencing a heart attack, a traumatic injury, a stroke, or a mental health crisis, Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is here – 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” shares Spence Fisher, President/CEO of Memorial Health. “As our region grows and emergency care becomes increasingly complex, expanding our capacity to meet these needs is essential. Our new emergency department represents a transformational investment in the health of our community, ensuring patients and families have access to high-quality care when they need it most.”

The new, state-of-the-art Emergency Department will be/will feature:

• Built for growth: Expands ED capacity from 15 to 24 treatment rooms to support projected growth in Union County and annual emergency visits expected to reach 29,000–37,000 by 2050.
• Designed for today’s complexity: Modernized space and capabilities will better support patients who arrive older, sicker, and with more complex medical needs, including greater reliance on advanced imaging, laboratory diagnostics, and integrated specialty care.
• Specialized treatment spaces: Includes dedicated rooms for trauma, behavioral health, pediatrics, and isolation.
• Improved patient flow: A best-in-class layout will support rapid triage, efficient care team collaboration, and improved patient flow, helping reduce wait times.
• Enhanced safety and access: Provides expanded space for security, separate ambulance and public entrances/drop-off areas, and parking improvements to enhance accessibility.
• Improved proved patient and family experience: Features private treatment rooms, natural light, and dedicated waiting and consultation areas designed to create a more comfortable and supportive environment.
• Designed with care teams: Physicians, nurses, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers have contributed input to ensure the new department meets real-world patient care needs.
• Built for the future: The project represents a transformational investment in Memorial’s ability to deliver timely, compassionate, and high-quality emergency care for the region today and for generations to come.

Fisher concludes, “This $56 million investment positions Memorial to meet the region’s growing need for emergency care while creating a more modern, efficient environment for patients and caregivers. It will expand capacity, strengthen support for our frontline teams, and ensure we are prepared to care for our communities well into the future. Our commitment to the people of this region remains at the heart of every decision we make.”

Project partners for the Emergency Department include Messer Construction Co., DesignGroup, Korda/Nemeth Engineering, and EMH&T Engineering.