With summer coming to a close, Jefferson Healthcare making significant progress on its Campus Modernization and Expansion Project.
September 23, 2024
Jefferson Healthcare’s Campus Modernization and Expansion Project is progressing rapidly, with exciting developments on the horizon. In the latest episode of the To Your Health podcast, COO Jake Davidson provided an update on the project’s status and what the community can expect next.
Davidson highlighted the remarkable strides made over the summer. “Over the last two months, we’ve seen the walls get tilted up, and all the structural steel has gone in,” he said. “It went from really being able to see nothing to now you can see the whole building. So, lots of great progress.”
This construction is vital for replacing a building that was built in 1965 and no longer meets today’s structural or seismic standards. With the project underway, Jefferson Healthcare will soon be able to offer new and expanded services that will greatly benefit people in East Jefferson County.
New and Expanded ServicesOnce the new building is completed, Jefferson Healthcare will feature several new specialty services, while also expanding several existing services. Davidson was particularly enthusiastic about Jefferson Healthcare’s first-ever linear accelerator for Radiation Oncology. “We will be the first critical access hospital in the state to have a linear accelerator, so all of our oncology patients that need radiation can now stay home and get it, which is really exciting,” Davidson explained.
In addition to Radiation Oncology, the hospital will expand its MRI services and introduce Neurology; Pulmonology; and Ear, Nose, and Throat services—key areas that will help keep patients local for their healthcare needs. The new outpatient surgery center will also provide faster and more convenient surgical care.
Senator Cantwell Visits the Construction SiteAnother exciting turn of events occurred in early September when Jefferson Healthcare hosted Senator Maria Cantwell for a tour of our construction site. Senator Cantwell was instrumental in helping Jefferson Healthcare securing a $2.5 million appropriation to help fund the radiation therapy build-out and vault, where the Linear Accelerator will be housed.
The next major steps in the project will focus on interior construction. “They actually just poured the foundation for the linear accelerator,” Davidson noted. “The roofing of the building is the next big piece.” By October, the focus will shift to the interior, with building walls and interior structures being the primary areas of progress.
Davidson also touched on improvements to parking, including efforts to reduce traffic congestion. “In the last three months, we’ve kept about 3,000 cars off the streets and parking here,” Davidson shared. The expanded parking area should be ready by late 2024, improving accessibility for patients and staff.
For a more in-depth look at the progress, listen to the full podcast episode featuring Jake Davidson. And for more details about the exciting future of Jefferson Healthcare’s services, visit our website to learn more about the Campus Modernization and Expansion Project.
Jefferson Healthcare is an award-winning, full-service healthcare organization meeting the care needs of East Jefferson County. Jefferson Healthcare offers inpatient and comprehensive outpatient services including primary and specialty physician care.
