Watertown, N.Y.-based Samaritan Medical Center broke ground on the final phase of its multiyear campus transformation June 26. This last phase will expand its maternity and mental health units.
Here are five things to know:
1. The first three phases of Samaritan Medical Center's transformation consisted of building a parking garage, patient pavilion and a connector between the hospital and nursing home. Facilities also were renovated. .
2. The last phase will include expanding the maternity center. Upon completion, the center will house a new three-level entrance, parking lot, a neonatal intensive care unit and a labor and delivery suite. The project will consolidate maternity and pediatrics on one floor.
3. Samaritan will upgrade its inpatient mental health unit, which will feature 34 beds, space for physical activity, improved group therapy rooms, quiet spaces and enhanced visibility of patients in gathering spaces.
4. The first phase of the campus upgrade began in 2006.
5. "Over the past 12 years, and thanks to tremendous support from our community, Samaritan has experienced tremendous growth, which has changed the healthcare landscape for our community — literally and figuratively," said Thomas Carman, president and CEO of Samaritan.