GARY — Methodist Hospitals will break ground soon on a renovation of its emergency department and intensive-care unity, part of a $31 million revamping of the Gary hospital.

The hospital system hopes to start construction on the Northlake Campus ER next month for an October, 2016, completion date. 

Methodist hopes to contract with as many local and minority contractors as possible. 

“We want to be transparent with the community in terms of what we’re doing and make sure we open up opportunities to minority vendors and other vendors in the greater Gary metropolitan area,” said Ray Grady, CEO of Methodist Hospitals.

The project will include renovation of the Gary Methodist emergency department, creating a new, 12-bed, intensive-care unit and, in place of the old one, creating a six-bed trauma and surgical ICU. 

“The intention is to improve the aesthetics of the area but also improve the design to make it more efficient and allow for an increased flow of patients through the system,” said Wright Alcorn, vice president of operations for Methodist Hospitals. 

“Overall, it will improve and increase the capacity of our emergency department to see patients.” 

Source:  nwitimes