Galena's primary hospital has just announced a massive expansion project is underway. It's expected to increase and approve services as well as create 26 new full-time positions.

This week, Midwest Medical Center unveiled a planned $34.5 million project that will add over 42,546 square feet to the facility. That would expand the hospital to roughly 136,000 square feet, with the existing 35,000 square feet being renovated in the process.

Among many things, the goal for this project is the expansion of the hospital's physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Also planned is a new multi-purpose gym as well as additional space for the surgery department, internal medicine, behavioral health, cardiac rehab department, family practice clinic, and infusion clinic divisions.

Midwest Medical Center in Galena, IL. Photo Credit: Google Street View
Midwest Medical Center in Galena, IL. Photo Credit: Google Street View
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Where is the Money Coming From?:

Before you ask, the project will be entirely funded by the hospital. Midwest Medical Center plans to use $9 million in general funds and pay for the remainder through a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, per the Telegraph Herald.

The southwest portion of the building is planned to see the most development. That is where the new gym, therapy services, and most of the other improved areas will be located. President and CEO of Midwest Medical Center Tracy Bauer added that a new bistro is in the plans as well; the eatery will serve patients and their families.

Photo Credit: wutwhanfoto, Creative Services
Photo Credit: wutwhanfoto, Creative Services
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When Will Construction Begin?:

Construction is set to begin in April with the estimated completion in 2025. Hospital services will proceed uninterrupted throughout the process, Bauer noted.

Applications for the new aforementioned full-time positions will begin rolling out upon completion of the respective departments. Positions for physical and occupational therapists as well as various support staff positions are expected in the rollout. As of 2022, Midwest Medical Center has 260 employees.

Photo Credit: MattGush, Digital Team
Photo Credit: MattGush, Digital Team
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Addressing the High Demand for Therapy:

With the COVID-19 pandemic ostensibly subsiding, the focus for Midwest Medical Center's expansion addresses the rising demand for therapy and therapy-related services.

Conceptualized in 2019, this expansion project was spawned due to patients at Midwest Medical Center experiencing increased wait times for services. Like most things in the world, the pandemic put the expansion on hold. Most of the initial resources planned for the expansion went into COVID-19 testing and treatment services for the virus.

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