Press release:
Mission Health and Highlands-Cashiers Hospital held a ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration for the hospital’s new Emergency Department on Friday, May 12. The $6.7 million project supporting a major expansion and enhancement, represents an important investment in the future healthcare needs of Macon and Jackson Counties. It is also a component of Mission Health’s Future Ready initiative, an unprecedented plan for the future of healthcare across western North Carolina that exceeds half a billion dollars in investments.
Emergency Department improvements include: 6,800 additional square feet, a dedicated behavioral health patient treatment area, special space for trauma or sexual assault victims, separate space for patients with contagious diseases, private consultation rooms and a spectacular waiting area with architectural features that make the most of the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding the hospital.
The project is the culmination of the hard work, commitment, and shared vision of so many, including the Hospital’s generous donors and Board, Highlands’ and Cashiers’ civic leaders, the Design Strategies firm, General Contractor JR Vannoy Construction, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Facilities and Operations staff, Mission Health leaders, and expert clinical leaders.
The focus on meeting the region’s future healthcare needs was the overarching goal throughout the project’s development and implementation, as was ensuring that Highlands-Cashiers Hospital builds upon its status as a top rural Critical Access Hospital. The spectacular new Emergency Department will contribute measurably to the compassionate, safe, effective and high quality experience that patients of Highlands-Cashiers hospital have come to know and enjoy.
“Highlands-Cashiers Hospital’s new Emergency Department is just one community-facing representation of the match between our team’s clinical skills, compassion and patient focus and the hospital environment. This new space will support the unprecedented level of thoughtful, customized, patient-focused care for our community for many years to come. Because of the hard work, sacrifice and vision of so many, we now celebrate this transformed facility – another gem in our beautiful and vibrant mountain community and in the Mission Health network of care,” said President and Chief Nursing Officer Jacqueline Medland, PhD, RN.
Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health, echoed Medland’s enthusiasm. “This new facility is a critical part of meeting the unique needs of the residents of Highlands, Cashiers and the surrounding community. Each resident deserves the most advanced care available, and this remarkable, state-of-the-art facility illustrates clearly how Mission Health is investing in helping community members Be Well, Get Well, and Stay Well.”
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