Tallahassee Memorial Hospital is expanding its emergency services by constructing a new off-campus Emergency center. City and county officials helped Tallahassee Memorial Hospital kick off the construction of a new Emergency Center in the northeast part of Tallahassee Tuesday.
The new 45-thousand square foot facility will be called Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center-Northeast. Mark O'Bryant, the hospital’s President and CEO, says it’s intended to meet the community’s growing need.
“We have two facilities that provide care to Emergent and Urgent Care patients. We still have over 100,000 patients in those two facilities, and that demands continues to grow. And, this facility will allow us to provide another outlet. It crossroads at Thomasville Road and I-10. This is the population center for Leon County. So, it’s very accessible,” said Bryant
Included in the new center’s design is dimmed lighting, low-glare flooring and stretchers with thicker mattresses to make patients more comfortable. It’s also being constructed in a way that reduces the center’s impact on the environment. Bryant says a big draw to the community is the new center’s specialization in Geriatric and pediatric patients. Tallahassee Mayor John Marks feels the same way.
“They’re getting both ends. They’re getting the book ends. They’re getting the elder and the young ones. I like that because I’m a baby boomer and I might need the geriatric care one day, and I have 7-month old grand baby. And, she might need the pediatric care. So, I think it fills a void. It really enhances us in addressing that void that was there all the time,” said Marks.
Tallahassee Memorial Emergency Center-Northeast is expected to create about 160 jobs, including nursing and security positions. Construction is expected to be completed by May 2013.
