Mercy breaks ground on $7.5M ER for kids

Mercy Springfield Communities broke ground this morning on a $7.5 million emergency room expansion designed specifically for children.

The ceremony marked the start of construction for a 6,300-square-foot children’s ER in front of the existing one along South National Avenue at the health care system’s Springfield hospital, according to a news release.

“We have a wide variety of patients come through our doors in need of help – from those who are suffering from serious illness, injured in accidents, victims of violence, or suffering from the complications of mental health disorders or substance abuse,” said Dr. Mark Griesemer, ER medical director at Mercy Hospital Springfield, in the release. “It can be scary and overwhelming for a child, especially when they have their own health concern.”

Designed by The Lamar Johnson Collaborative LLC, general contractor McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. is scheduled to complete the new ER in early 2021. The ER expansion will add 11 exam rooms, including two that are specially designed for children with mental health needs.

The children’s ER is funded entirely through donations, including $1.5 million from the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc., according to the release.

The new construction is planned alongside the $80 million Mercy Heart Hospital Springfield project on South National Avenue at the main Queen City hospital.