Nazareth Hospital
digs into expansion

By Lauren Fritsky
Times Staff Writer

Nazareth Hospital has
always been a little precocious.
When officials announced the expansion of the emergency department at their Holme Avenue site last August, they said construction would begin this fall.
But it got off to an early start on Friday when the hospital officially broke ground on the $9.85 million project.
"Today marks the beginning of a new season of growth for Nazareth Hospital," said Christine Fitz-Patrick, interim president and chief operating officer.
Nazareth needs to expand to accommodate the growth in the number of patients admitted to its emergency room. In 2006, the hospital saw 36,000 patients in the ER, an increase of 39 percent from 2001. Officials expect the number to grow to 43,000 by 2011.
The current emergency department measures 9,400 square feet and includes 21 bays. The expansion will add another 7,600 square feet and 13 bays to the space.
Florkowski Builders will complete the project in two phases over the course of 18 months. The first stage involves building the new facility; the second includes renovations to the current space, which will remain open throughout the construction.
The patient parking lot that borders Roosevelt Boulevard will be pushed back to accommodate the new facility. Another parking lot and entranceway off Holme Avenue is already being created for ambulances.
Fitz-Patrick said the new facility will add jobs to the hospital but she was unsure of the number.
Funding for the venture came from state Rep. John Perzel (R-172th dist.) and Sen. Michael Stack (D-5th dist.), each of whom contributed $1.75 million — a combined 26 percent of the total cost — to the project.
"A lot of our colleagues talk about healthcare leaving (Pennsylvania)," Stack said. "When we talk about Nazareth, we talk about expansion."
Perzel said the legislature would continue to support Nazareth’s efforts to serve the community.
"You here at Nazareth hospital have done a fabulous job," Perzel said. ••
Reporter Lauren Fritsky can be reached at 215-354-3038 or lfritsky@phillynews.com