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St. Francis Hospital has filed for state approval to complete extensive renovation and expansion projects to meet the growing needs of Columbus and this region. These projects, estimated at $110 million, are just another step to bring world-class health care to Columbus and the region. Construction will begin late spring 2010 and are expected to be completed by year end 2011. 

“We listened to the physicians in our community and fully support their needs,” said Tootie Bickerstaff, chair, St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees. “These renovations and expansions are a direct reflection of their ideas.” 

“Our joint vision is to bring world-class health care to our community,” said George McCluskey, MD, St. Francis Hospital chief-of-staff. “These projects also address the need for added space as a result of the tremendous growth and success St. Francis has experienced in recent years. 

Since 2004, hospital admissions have risen 27 percent, surgical procedures have grown 91 percent and emergency room visits have increased 25 percent. 

“Not only has the demand grown, but today’s patients desire both the highest quality of care and a first-class facility with private rooms and showers, convenient parking, comfortable waiting rooms and much more,” said Bob Gilson, immediate past chair, St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees. “We want to meet our patient’s expectations and prepare to meet the needs of our community as it grows.”  

These projects allow the hospital to have 230 private rooms while maintaining our licensed capacity of 292. It will also allow for seven additional operating rooms; a dedicated cardiovascular surgical suite; four cardiac catheterization labs; a special procedures room; and a 40 percent increase in ER capacity. Additionally, these expansions will add space for physician-driven Centers of Excellence and address infrastructure issues associated with the hospital’s original facility, now approaching 60 years old. 

“Our community will benefit greatly from these projects. Our new facilities will offer patients a higher quality of health care and more expedient access to that care. These expansions will not only benefit our community today, but also the children and grandchildren of this generation,” said Steve Butler, chair, St. Francis Hospital Board of Trustees planning committee.