FOLEY — The South Baldwin Regional Medical Center is now Baldwin Health Hospital.
Officials celebrated opening a new five-story, 185,000-square-foot wing that will increase the hospital's capacity and provide additional services.
The tower will house new surgical facilities, an outpatient surgery center, high-acuity intensive care patients, a women's and children's unit, and additional in-patient beds.
Hospital administrator Dr. Margaret Roley said the new wing will open on October 28.
"We've laid a foundation of an incredibly successful health system," said Roley. "I think that you will see as we change our brand and that our same reputation, our five-star service, will remain the same."
The $250-million expansion took over a year to complete.
"Bricks and mortar, as I say all the time, are pieces of the puzzle, but the glue that holds it together is the employees and the medical staff that provide this care to the community," Roley said.
The original South Baldwin Hospital was constructed in 1958. In 2000, the Health Care Authority partnered with Community Health Systems to expand hospital services.
Clark Stewart, the South Baldwin Health Care Authority chairman, said the partnership made the latest expansion possible.
"We wouldn't be celebrating this day without the longtime partnership with Community Health Systems," Stewart said. "They've been just an incredible partner that spanned almost a quarter of a century now. We're in our 24th year of that relationship and looking forward to many, many more."
CHS region president Drew Mason said the system will continue to support the hospital as Baldwin County grows.
"We're going to continue to invest in this market, and it all comes down to relationships and the trust and confidence with our Healthcare Authority and all the leaders who have such an incredible involvement in this journey," he said.
The health system now has more than 25 locations throughout Baldwin County, including 10 new South Baldwin Medical Group locations that opened over the last three years, bringing more advanced services like neurospine to the community.
The hospital is located at 1613 N McKenzie Street, in Foley.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
