UKIAH -- Adventist Health plans to chip in another $21 million for the planned expansion of Ukiah Valley Medical Center to add improvements to the emergency department and intensive care unit, bringing the total project cost to $41 million.
"This is a significant investment by Adventist Health and demonstrates their commitment to our community," Gwen Matthews, chief executive officer of the 78-bed hospital, said in a statement.
Ukiah Valley Medical Center is seeking to advance its trauma designation from level 4 to level 3, and is adding dedicated trauma rooms as part of the expansion to achieve that.
"Level 3 designation will allow us to provide services to higher-acuity trauma patients," Ms. Matthews said.
The hospital has the only trauma center in Mendocino County, according to Roseville-based Adventist Health, which also operates St. Helena Napa Valley and St. Helena Clear Lake hospitals.
In addition to the funding from Adventist Health, Ukiah community members to date have contributed $2.6 million to the expansion, including $1.2 million from hospital physicians and employees, according to Allyne Brown, hospital director of philanthropy.
“Our capital campaign goal is $4 million,” she said.
Groundbreaking for construction on the campus is scheduled for early summer of 2013.
