Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital has officially opened the second phase of its Emergency & Trauma Center in Albany, Georgia. This significant expansion marks the completion of the Trauma & Critical Care Tower project, which began construction over three years ago. The first patients entered the newly completed section on Wednesday morning, signaling a major enhancement in emergency care for the community.
Deb Angerami, President of Phoebe, expressed enthusiasm about the new facilities, stating, “We’ve been looking forward to this day since we opened the Trauma & Critical Care Tower last January.” The expansion includes a range of features designed to improve patient care, such as a separate behavioral health wing, a spacious lobby, and a total of 29 new treatment spaces.
The second phase expands the Emergency & Trauma Center to a total of 53,000 square feet, nearly tripling the previous space, which was approximately 19,000 square feet. This increase allows for six additional private triage rooms, 14 treatment bays, and nine private patient care rooms. Additionally, a conference room and a breakroom for staff are included in the new layout.
According to Susie McKay, Director of the Emergency Center, the hospital experienced a 6% increase in emergency patients last year after the opening of the initial phase. She anticipates continued growth in patient volume, noting, “We now have a much larger waiting room and more treatment areas for those patients.”
A noteworthy feature of the new center is the Behavioral Health Emergency Center, which consists of six beds dedicated to patients experiencing mental health crises. This specialized area provides a secure and calming environment, staffed by professionals trained specifically for behavioral health care. Ellen Williams, Vice President for Behavioral Health, emphasized the importance of this facility in enhancing care efficacy.
The expansion has not only enhanced the physical space but has also improved connectivity within the hospital. A new corridor on the second floor links the Trauma & Critical Care Tower to the main hospital building. The Labor & Delivery waiting room has also been updated, alongside a renovated Obstetrics Emergency Center that features five triage bays. This area is staffed around the clock by obstetricians to ensure timely care for pregnant women.
As Jennifer Heleski, Director of Women’s & Children’s Services, noted, “Our patients and families have been very understanding and patient with us over the last year during our construction project.” The hospital intends to further enhance its Labor & Delivery department in the future.
The project was overseen by general contractor Hoar Construction, which managed the construction from start to finish. Davis Wilson, Project Manager at Hoar, expressed pride in the completion of the project, stating, “Seeing this project reach completion is an incredible milestone… Watching our crews’ hard work take shape in a project that will strengthen lifesaving care for years to come is truly an honor.”
With the opening of Phase 2, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital aims to provide exceptional emergency and trauma care for the Albany community and its surrounding areas. The hospital encourages expectant mothers and patients in need of emergency care to report to the registration desk inside the main entrance of the Trauma & Critical Care Tower for guidance to their respective departments.
