ELDORADO, IL – Today, Ferrell Hospital officials and community leaders cut the ribbon on the hospital’s $34 million expansion and modernization project.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was limited in attendance due to current statewide COVID-19 restrictions, but was broadcast live on the Ferrell Hospital Facebook page.
The project added 55,000 square feet of new space to the hospital that had previously been 33,000 square feet. Highlights of the addition include a new emergency department, operating rooms and endoscopy suite; enhanced radiology and lab services; 15 new private rooms; and an infusion area. New public areas, such as the cafeteria and lobbies, are also modern and spacious.
“This beautiful, modern facility will help us provide the most-needed and best-possible emergency, surgical and hospital-based care to patients here in Eldorado and throughout southern Illinois,” said Alisa Coleman, CEO. “Now that the new construction phase is over, we will begin modernizing the original facility, including patient rooms, physician offices and support areas.”
Ferrell Hospital, with more than 250 employees, is one of the largest employers in the area. Last year, the hospital had 1,007 total admissions, 12,111 outpatient registrations, and 6,043 emergency care visits.
The number of specialty services has also grown in recent years, and the newly-expanded facility will allow additional specialties to begin practicing at Ferrell in 2021, including ENT, orthopedics and oncology.
“Our vision, as it has been for years, is that the residents of our community can receive the majority of their health care needs right here at Ferrell,” said Dr. Nate Oldham, Chief of Staff, Ferrell Hospital. “This new state-of-the-art hospital will dramatically improve the patient experience, while at the same time keeping our commitment to the compassionate hometown care that our community has become accustomed to at Ferrell.”
Expansion and Renovations – Facts, Figures and Details
$34 million expansion
· Prior facility was 33,000 square feet. Most recent renovation was 1973.
· Project added 55,000 square feet of new space; will modernize 17,000 square feet of current space in next phase of work.
· New total size: 88,000 square feet
Project highlights
· 15 patient rooms will become private rooms
· New emergency department
· Operating rooms
· Endoscopy suite
· New physician offices
· Enhanced radiology and lab services
· Infusion area to administer chemotherapy
· Next phase: Expanding & modernizing existing physician offices, health information management areas, and other support areas of the hospital
Construction information
· Architect: Johnson Johnson Crabtree Architects, P.C. (2 Johnsons in the name is correct)
· General Contractor: Doster Construction
· 20 local contractors and sub-contractors, 15 different trades, creating more than 200 jobs during construction.
· The new facility includes:
o More than 100 miles of wiring and 15 miles of conduit
o 33 miles of metal studs
o 6,100 sheets of drywall—more than a quarter million square feet
Project based on need
· Received approval on federally-required certificate of need (CON) in 2017.
· Then submitted an application to USDA for low-interest loan for expansion and modernization project. Received notice of approval of loan in August 2018.
· Increased revenues are also anticipated, due to higher volumes of services provided as a result of expanded space and services.
Current economic impact of Ferrell Hospital
· Ferrell is one of the largest employers in the region, employing more than 250 people.
· In February 2020, the Illinois Hospital Association published the economic impact of Ferrell Hospital. Combining both direct and indirect impact, Ferrell Hospital contributed $59.1 million to our local economy in payroll, supplies and capital spending.
Deaconess Illinois Affiliation
· Deaconess Illinois has provided guidance and experience in physician recruitment and expansion of current and new services.
o Includes additions of multiple specialty services, such as digital mammography, comprehensive pain management services, urology, rheumatology, wound care, diabetes services and podiatry.
o ENT, orthopedics and oncology will begin in 2021.
· Helping people be and stay healthy, while receiving care close to home, is an important part of Deaconess Illinois’ overall population health strategy.
