Securing the needed approvals to move forward, Medical Center officials pledge the venture will be the most significant expansion in its 85-year history.

"Once construction is complete, residents in West Central Ohio will witness a transformation," says Jim Reber, President and CEO, St. Rita's Medical Center. "Over the past five years we've seen our services grow nearly 40%. Because of this increasing demand for high quality care and advanced technology, St. Rita's is facing serious space limitations. We believe The Medical Center of the Future will allow for needed expansion, a greater focus on patients and families, space for cutting-edge technology, easier access and additional parking," says Reber.

By 2007, many changes will take place inside and outside of the Medical Center. The Lima campus will span six city blocks, add a nine-story patient tower equipped with the most advanced technology including high-speed internet access and feature spacious patient and family suites. Floors will house dedicated specialty centers such as orthopedics, heart, cancer and neurology, among others. Each floor will feature multiple family lounges and a fully equipped kitchen to accommodate families that want to remain close by.

The project will create a safe campus environment. Plans call for the closure of High and Collett Streets. Patients and visitors will now enter the campus with ease from Charles Street, two blocks west of the current entrance. No longer will pedestrians have to walk across busy streets, vehicles will travel down a boulevard and passengers will enter the medical center beneath a large, all weather canopy.

As St. Rita's expands its services, it will be necessary to create additional, convenient parking as well.

For added patient convenience, an outpatient services department will be located directly off the main lobby. Patients can quickly access all pre-admission testing, lab work, X-rays, rapid CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Through patient surveys and community focus groups, residents responded overwhelmingly to relocating these services into a one-stop-shop approach.

A High Street Mall and enclosed walkways will allow patients and visitors easy access to all areas of the Medical Center including St. Rita's four medical office buildings. A coffee shop, pharmacy, bigger gift shop, and health resource center will also be added.

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The expansion will be environmentally friendly, significantly reducing energy costs. It will be more efficient for staff and further enhance patient safety.

Medical Center officials estimate the expansion will create hundreds of construction jobs and 300 – 500 permanent health care positions.

"We are very excited about this project and feel it will have far-reaching impact on the greater Lima community. Most importantly, the project will help us meet the health care needs of residents close to home. For Lima, the expansion means hard earned dollars will stay in our community and create needed jobs. Ultimately, it will improve people's quality of life," says Brian Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, St. Rita's.

St. Rita's is expected to begin initial construction west of the campus at the corner of Collett and High Streets by mid to late summer. The entire expansion is slated for completion in 2007.