USA Health Dedicates Expanded Pediatric Emergency Facilities

USA Health staff and supporters gather outside the newly expanded pediatric emergency facilities at Children’s and Women’s Hospital.

USA Health officials dedicated the newly expanded pediatric emergency facilities at Children’s and Women’s Hospital in Mobile on January 10.

The new facilities cover 19,000 square feet, compared to the old 9,000, and provide 30 treatment rooms, compared to the old 14. The current facility is staffed by board-certified pediatric emergency specialists and logs some 40,000 patient visits annually.

“We anticipate that number will grow when we move into the new state-of-the-art facility,” said Owen Bailey, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs. “We are excited to increase access to the unmatched services we provide as we continue to meet the health care needs of children and their families in the upper Gulf Coast region.”

New facilities include more space for parents and caregivers to be with their children, special spaces to help calm and support children, behavioral health rooms and private space for pediatric sexual assault victims.

“We understand that bringing a child or adolescent to the emergency department can be an overwhelming experience. That’s why we focus on offering family-centered care to make sure patients and their caregivers receive the support they need,” said Deborah Browning, chief executive officer for Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “We also know that children are not little adults. They have unique physical and emotional needs. This new center was designed to better meet the needs of all children who come through our doors.” 

Renovation, construction and equipment cost a total of $19 million with $14.2 million raised through donations and state funding.