The Community Memorial Hospital is excited to enter the second phase of its $31.5 million Transformation Project of its facility that will expand and renovate patient care spaces.  The USDA guaranteed the loan necessary to complete construction last week following delays created by increases in construction costs.

“On behalf of all of us at Community Memorial, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Senator Schumer for leading our Congressional Delegation in advocating to make this nearly $20 million USDA loan guarantee possible.  We are incredibly excited to restart our facility renewal project, especially after increased labor and supply costs during the pandemic significantly delayed the financial approvals for Phase II,” said Community Memorial Hospital President and CEO Jeff Coakley.  “Thanks to Senator Schumer and our federal representatives, Community Memorial can now make good on our promise to expand and revitalize our facility and equipment, safeguarding patient care and over 400 jobs for many years to come.”

Through collaboration with the Senator and his staff, the health system was able to gain the support of the USDA to guarantee the nearly $20 million loan required to complete the project.

“This nearly $20 million federal investment is a major shot-in-the-arm for Madison County and Community Memorial Hospital. This will help kick-start the next phase of the hospital’s transformation, expanding to help get our rural communities the healthcare they need with new, top-of-the-line equipment and facilities,” said Senator Schumer. “With this federal support, Community Memorial will continue to build on their recent expansion of services and add new state-of-the-art equipment, positioning the Hospital to meet the changing needs of rural patients. I am proud to deliver this funding to CMH and will never stop fighting to strengthen healthcare infrastructure for all Central New Yorkers.”

The $31.5 million Transformation Project will provide the largest renovation of the facility in more than 70 years.  The first phase, completed in December of 2021, updated the Inpatient wing and the Emergency Department.  Phase II will focus on the center of the Hospital, with renovations being made to the Radiology Department, Laboratory, Rehabilitation Center and the Main Entrance.

Phase I was completed just in time to meet the needs of our community during the height of a regional COVID spike.  Community Memorial has seen 17% growth in the Emergency Department since pre-pandemic, highlighting the importance of the organization.  Now, Phase II aims to bring ancillary services to the forefront, updating space and equipment.

The new Radiology Department will be centralized inside the Hospital, mobilizing all modalities to meet the needs of our patients and allow staff to respond to urgent patient needs.  CMH will also update its aged equipment with state-of-the-art medical imaging devices, including a CT scanner, MRI Machine and digital mammography.

The Laboratory Department will have expanded waiting space for patients with updated draw rooms, improving the patient experience.  Staff will also have improved workflow and efficiencies with the expanded space.

The updated Center for Rehabilitation at CMH, which includes physical, occupational and speech therapies, will also be expanded, offering a new and modern location for patient care.  The Laboratory Department renovation will include ADA-compliant draw spaces and expanded waiting space.

The fourth component of Phase II will feature a new main entrance for patients, families and visitors to access the Hospital and ensure enhanced patient safeguards.  The new main entrance will also feature a larger waiting space with modern and comfortable amenities and a cohesive exterior to the new Emergency Department entrance.

Community Memorial and construction management group, The Hayner Hoyt Corp., anticipate the completion of the project at the end of 2025.  While construction is in process, the organization will work vigorously to ensure patient care is not reduced or impacted, and it looks forward to welcoming those needing care into all locations and services.

Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates on CMH services, the medical team and the Transformation Project, along with the Foundation of CMH page, which features progress, photos and more information on how the community and patients may participate in the largest project since the inception of Community Memorial in 1952.