OPELIKA, Ala. – Two major healthcare projects led by East Alabama Health are nearing completion, signaling a significant investment in expanding both critical care and mental health services across the region.
The developments include a 30-bed intensive care unit (ICU) expansion at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) and the construction of a new freestanding psychiatric hospital at the health system’s north campus in Opelika.
“As our community grows, so does its need for health care,” said Laura Grill, president and CEO of East Alabama Health. “These expansion projects underscore our commitment to ensuring patients throughout our region have access to the highest level of care from the providers and caregivers they know and trust.”
The ICU project, first announced in March 2024, is part of a vertical expansion of EAMC’s West Pavilion. The $67,395-square-foot addition will add three floors: a mechanical systems floor, shell space for future development, and a new ICU floor with 30 critical care beds.
“The construction of the project is in its final stages with some interior finishes, exterior panels, paint and some system integrations remaining,” said Jay Walters, executive director of facilities at East Alabama Health.
Hospital officials emphasized that the design incorporates lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on advanced air management systems and maximizing natural light for patient recovery. The expansion will also connect seamlessly with EAMC’s South Bed Tower.
“Special thought went into the design to integrate the functionality of the vertical expansion with the existing building,” Walters explained. “Air management was a big part of the HVAC system design from lessons learned during COVID. Furthermore, patient rooms were designed to maximize natural light.”
The building’s exterior was also carefully crafted to align with EAMC’s architectural style while introducing modern design elements that reflect newer facilities like the Spencer Cancer Center and Pinnacle Cardiovascular Associates.
Alongside the ICU expansion, East Alabama Health is preparing to open a 54,000-square-foot freestanding psychiatric hospital, which will replace the current inpatient psychiatric unit at EAMC.
“This project is also in the closing stages of construction, with only interior finishes, painting, and system integration remaining. Landscaping is close to completion as well,” Walters said.
Located on Hope Lane, the new psychiatric hospital is part of the health system’s broader effort to expand access to mental health care. The facility will provide 40 private inpatient beds — an increase from the current 28 — including dedicated units for adult men, adult women, and adolescents. It will also house East Alabama Psychiatric Services (EAPS), which provides outpatient care.
“This facility has been a vision for a long time to meet the needs of our growing community, and to meet the needs of those facing mental health issues,” Grill said. “We are thankful for everyone who has supported us throughout this process and are excited to see this vision come to fruition.”
The psychiatric hospital will also have an accredited on-site school to support adolescent patients during treatment and will serve as a training site for East Alabama Health’s Psychiatry Residency Program, ensuring the next generation of mental health professionals gain hands-on experience.
Walters said the facility was designed with both comfort and safety in mind. “There was a strong focus on a residential feel for the exterior of the building which led to the prominent sloped shingled roof,” he noted. “The design also incorporates an abundance of natural light while still maintaining privacy and safety for our patients.
“Access in and out of the building was a point of focus as well to provide safety and security for our patients and visitors.”
Together, these projects represent one of the most significant expansions in East Alabama Health’s history, strengthening its role as a regional leader in care delivery. With more than 3,800 employees, the health system is the second-largest employer in the region, trailing only Auburn University.
The ICU expansion and psychiatric hospital are both expected to open in the coming months, offering patients across East Alabama access to a wider range of critical and behavioral health services.
Originally reported by East Alabama Health.
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