Hazel Crest, Ill. – State and local elected officials and Southland community residents helped Advocate Health Care executives, physicians and hospital employees celebrate the $90 million construction of Advocate South Suburban Hospital’s new Surgical Procedural Center, during a special June 4 groundbreaking event.
Illinois Sen. Michael E. Hastings (19th District), Rep. William Davis (30th District), Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (38th District), Hazel Crest Village President Vernard L. Alsberry, Jr., and other local officials attended the afternoon event, which took place on the western side of the hospital, near the live construction site. Each official spoke during a brief program and participated in a community blessing litany. The Hillcrest High School Jazz Band Ensemble provided musical entertainment for the event.
“Arriving at this point took the work of many people. We appreciate the partnership received by the Village of Hazel Crest and our elected officials. We look forward to continuing these partnerships in the future to bring the best health care in Illinois to this community,” said Advocate South Suburban Hospital President Rashard Johnson.
Once completed in 2020, the new-and-improved surgical center will add 88,000 square feet to Advocate South Suburban’s footprint and create greater efficiencies for patient care teams. The ongoing modernization project includes the expansion of existing operating rooms with upgrades to accommodate a greater number of robotic surgeries and cardiac procedures. Additional facility improvements include transforming the look and feel of the hospital’s western entrance, reconfiguring parking for easier building access and constructing new pre- and post-surgical patient care spaces – all expected to enhance the patient experience.
“I’m so proud to be here breaking ground for Advocate South Suburban Hospital,” Alsberry said. “A great combination of organizations made this happen. I will be one of the ones beating the drum to let citizens, residents of Hazel Crest know we have the best-quality care in the state of Illinois [at Advocate South Suburban].”
During his program remarks, Rep. Davis noted that Advocate South Suburban’s latest modernization project Is an important economic driver for the Southland, bringing much-needed contracts to area businesses and jobs to local residents.
“Projects like this one say you [Advocate Health Care] are one of the largest investors in Illinois,” Rep. Davis said, adding that he welcomes Advocate South Suburban’s efforts to award contracts to a diverse group of vendors. “Diversity. That’s when we all benefit…when people in the community have a chance to participate in projects like this,” Davis said
Sen Hastings, agreed that the hospital’s new surgical procedural center represents a win for the Southland community, pointing to the patient care enhancements the modernized facilities will bring.
“No matter where you live, no matter what your salary, everybody deserves great health care. It’s a fundamental right,” Sen. Hastings said.
About Advocate South Suburban
Advocate South Suburban Hospital has provided high-quality, compassionate care to the residents of Hazel Crest and the surrounding community since 1971. Our board-certified physicians have expertise in more than 50 subspecialties, including advanced heart attack and stroke care and advanced levels of treatment in surgery that serves as a model for other health care providers. Advocate South Suburban is a Designated Primary Stroke Center. Our Emergency Department team care model and triage delivery system minimize wait time and enhance care coordination, while our multi-disciplinary approach to in-patient care optimizes discharge planning and bedside engagement between providers, patients and family members. Advocate South Suburban is part of Advocate Aurora Health, the 10th largest not-for-profit, integrated health system in the United States. We help people live well.