FOLEY, Ala. — South Baldwin Regional Medical Center has broken ground on what officials call the largest construction project ever undertaken at the hospital, an expansion and modernization designed to add capacity and bring more services to one of Alabama’s fastest-growing regions.
Hospital CEO Margaret Roley was joined at the ceremonial groundbreaking by Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich and other guests to mark the start of construction.
More services close to home
Project highlights include a new surgical department with a dedicated outpatient entrance, a larger intensive care unit, and new nursing stations. Renovations inside the existing facility will complement the addition and create a more welcoming patient environment.
“We want to make it easy for our community to get quality medical services close to home,” said Steve Love, chairman of the hospital’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Lee Eslava, chief of staff, said more types of procedures will be available locally once the work is complete, with the facility offering patients an enhanced environment for care and comfort.
Responding to rapid growth
Roley said the investment reflects the hospital’s effort to keep pace with the growing population of south Baldwin County. She credited the South Baldwin County Health Care Authority, the Board of Trustees, city officials and the community for their support of the project.
MJ Harris is serving as general contractor, with Gresham Smith as architect. The target date for opening the new space is early 2025.