October 16, 2024 – HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital held a ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new helipad located on the north side of the hospital near the emergency department. The groundbreaking is part of the hospital’s $90 million modernization project aimed at enhancing emergency care access and infrastructure.
The helipad is designed to provide faster, more efficient air transport for critical patients, ensuring immediate access to emergency services.
“It’s huge for the city of Decatur, this is going to allow our colleagues and our flight teams easier access in moments to respond to critical folks right here across from our emergency room,” said Timothy Layman, Chief Administrative Officer of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital.
In addition to the new Helipad, the previously announced modernization project will feature state-of-the-art surgery suites, modern patient rooms, redesigned clinical spaces to enhance efficiency, and improvements to other service areas. It also includes the removal of portions of the current campus. The project began earlier this year and is expected to span a total of three years.
“Through this modernization project, we are re-imagining our physical environment, both internally and externally, to evolve how we deliver care to our patients and how we improve workflows for our dedicated colleagues,” said Matt Fry, HSHS Central Market President and CEO. “All to continue our Mission of service to Decatur and the surrounding communities for years to come.
Other campus updates include extending an indoor walkway to connect the hospital to the medical office buildings.
