PORT JERVIS, NY (March 2018) – The Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), along with the Bon Secours Charity Health System, today announced approval from the New York State Department of Health to begin a transformative, $40 million project at Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of WMCHealth, and its campus.
At its completion, the Investing in a Healthier Community project is expected to usher in a new era of healthcare in the City of Port Jervis and its surrounding tristate-area community. The effort will bring to Port Jervis an expanded, state-of-the-art emergency department with 10,000 square feet of space; a new, welcoming entrance and expanded lounge for patients and family members; an upgraded imaging center replete with world-leading diagnostic technologies such as ventilators and cardiac Holter monitors; a redesigned bariatric center; a centrally-located pharmacy and additional patient comfort via the conversion of 36 semi-private rooms to private.
At the center of the transformation is the development of 43,000 square-feet of space into the heart of a Port Jervis "medical village" where Bon Secours Community Hospital will collaborate with community partners to provide health, wellness and other community services, such as women's health, mental health, pediatrics and overall wellness, in one convenient destination.
"Hospitals are community anchors that are expected to lead the way when it comes to healthcare innovation," explained Mary P. Leahy, MD, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System. "The Bon Secours Community Hospital project will be a beacon for a healthier Port Jervis. We are thrilled to have received this approval and look forward to collaborations with our community partners."
Early partners in the medical village effort include Cornerstone Care and the Orange County Department of Mental Health Services.
"Today's announcement is a major milestone in WMCHealth's comprehensive plan to provide Hudson Valley residents with vital services as close to their homes as possible," said Michael D. Israel, President and CEO, Westchester Medical Center Health Network. "This reinforces WMCHealth's commitment to investing in Hudson Valley communities like Port Jervis and others like it around the region, not only from a healthcare perspective but also from an economic development perspective. By investing in these organizations, we are investing in healthier communities, with expanded healthcare offerings, as well as financial stability for the organizations and the communities they serve."
Other Hudson Valley healthcare investments for WMCHealth include an $8 million renovation of MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie that is currently underway and a planned $133.6 million project in Kingston that includes the expansion and enhancement of HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary's Avenue Campus, as well as a medical village hub at HealthAlliance Hospital: Broadway Campus. All three hospitals are members of WMCHealth. WMCHealth is also investing $230 million on its flagship campus in Valhalla with the construction of the 280,000 square-foot Ambulatory Care Pavilion, Westchester County's largest healthcare construction project in decades.
In addition, to date, WMCHealth and Bon Secours Charity Health System have invested approximately $2 million in equipment upgrades and capital improvements at Bon Secours Community Hospital, on its campus as well as the area directly surrounding the hospital.
The Bon Secours Community Hospital project will develop in four phases. Phase one, which is scheduled to begin in May 2018, will include the renovation and expansion of the emergency department and the bariatric unit. A groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in April with a date to be determined. Phase two will follow in the fall and includes the FastTrack area of the ED and the Lab; Phase three includes Radiology; and Phase four will be the Wellness area, Pharmacy and further expansion of the ED.
The renovations will be made possible by a $24.5 million grant from New York State, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network and Bon Secours Charity Health System have agreed to fund the rest of the construction costs, estimated at $20 million.
"This project would not have been achievable without the support of local and state officials," said Dr. Leahy. "We would like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for championing the effort and the New York State Department of Health, along with Senator John Bonacic, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec, Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus, City of Port Jervis Mayor Kelly Decker and City Council members, for their efforts to bring this vital initiative forward."