The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by local and state government officials, community leaders, and Ferrell Hospital medical staff, board members and employees.
The project, which secured local, state and national approval earlier this year, will include expanded imaging and surgical facilities, a larger and more modern emergency department, and renovation of patient rooms to create more private (rather than semi-private) rooms.
“Ferrell Hospital, since our beginning in 1925, has been here to meet the health care needs of our community,” said Alisa Coleman, CEO. “This expansion and modernization will enhance our ability to provide quality emergency, surgical and hospital-based care to patients here in southeastern Illinois, keeping them close to home.”
Ferrell Hospital, with more than 200 employees, is one of the largest employers in the area. In 2017, the hospital had an estimated $48.3 million impact in the community, including payroll, goods and services, and capital spending.
“Our project is about strategically planning for health care services that meet the needs of patients in the future,” said Coleman. “Our goal is to enhance our facility to help patients receive the care they need, right here, in our community.”
The construction project is expected to be completed in 2020.
![](/getmedia/36ab360e-8939-4d7b-8918-02f91fc6cd33/ER-Nurse-Station?width=400&height=225)
![Ferrell Hospital - Main Waiting Room](/getmedia/46d0e90d-4b45-4d68-a7e9-6dc92c29f74c/Main-Waiting-Room?width=400&height=225)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName4.png)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName8.png)
![Ferrell Hospital - Med Surge Unit Clerk](/getmedia/71785f72-202d-4eb2-aca1-55dd36ff4e24/Med-Surge-Unit-Clerk?width=400&height=225)
![Ferrell Hospital - Interior Public Space](/getmedia/99bc0fae-b2f8-4e66-9397-264c1a7d3e48/Interior-Public-Space?width=400&height=221)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName10.png)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName7.png)
![Ferrell Hospital - Clinic Entrance](/getmedia/bd4d3643-8d4b-4517-8e73-11532854a77b/Clinic-Entrance?width=400&height=225)
![Ferrell Hospital - Entry Arial](/getmedia/a9cb44fe-8c67-4fcc-8e9c-802be6d8ea76/Entry-Arial?width=400&height=225)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName.png)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName2.png)
![Ferrell Hospital - ER Enterance](/getmedia/440fe56c-4d20-4efb-9909-93326e50549e/ER-Entry?width=400&height=225)
![Ferrell Hospital - Front From Benton Street](/getmedia/cd71e2dd-c75f-4b8c-8eee-15c42df2bdfa/Front-From-Benton-Street?width=400&height=225)
![](/FerrellHospital/media/News/RoomName3.png)