Originally published in YOUR Williamson —

Last year, Williamson Medical Center embarked on an extensive $200 million expansion and renovation project to match the demand of growing Williamson County. Today, members of the community are seeing this vision come to life with construction crews and cranes hard at work on the hospital’s campus—and plenty of celebrations as project milestones are completed. 

Each phase of the project will aid the nationally recognized hospital in continuing to serve the region with comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services. 

“It is exciting to see this transformational project come to life,” said Phil Mazzuca, CEO of Williamson Health. “Each milestone brings us closer to our long-term vision and mission to meet the healthcare needs of Williamson County and the surrounding region now and for years to come.”

New Cardiac Catheterization Lab

As the first of many upgrades, Williamson Medical Center finished renovations earlier this year on a new catheterization laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technology. The new lab enhances physicians’ ability to perform more complex cardiology procedures with equipment capable of delivering real-time, high-quality imaging of the heart and blood flow.

“The new cath lab allows us to increase the complexity of the procedures that we are able to perform here as we treat patients closer to home,” said Brian Long, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Williamson Health.

Additionally, the cath lab is equipped to run diagnostic tests for coronary artery disease and treat patients for congestive heart failure or irregular heartbeats.

“The machines that we have now are capable of delivering high-quality imaging with lower dose radiation which is a huge benefit for patient safety,” said Dennis Cadugan, Clinical Coordinator, Cardiac Cath Lab.

With the latest technology, Williamson Medical Center is now one of the only hospitals in the area with the ability to perform advanced vessel mapping used in the diagnosis of heart conditions, a unique medical resource available to the community.

The cath lab technologies also further streamline the communication between EMS and emergency room staff, allowing them to treat incoming patients more efficiently.

Future additions to the overall expansion and renovation project will make WMC home to a state-of-the-art Heart Center, providing exceptional cardiac care for area residents that’s close to home.

Emergency Department Expansion 

A few months ago, Williamson Health also celebrated the completion of the first phase of the hospital’s new Adult Emergency Room (ER) with a grand opening event and ribbon cutting.

The event included appearances by local dignitaries including Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson; Bo Butler, chair of the Williamson Health Board of Trustees; project capital campaign co-chairs, Vicki McNamara and Caroline Bryan; and celebrity supporters, Luke Bryan and Darrell Waltrip.

This first phase of the hospital’s ER expansion and renovation included:

• New Adult ER entrance;
• Expanded waiting room;
• New registration desk with three private stations;
• Two triage rooms;
• Ten new exam rooms;
• Private family gathering room;
• New conference room in main lobby; and
• Outdoor healing garden courtyard

In addition to these updates, the existing ER space will be renovated in several phases over the next year. Once completed in May 2024, the overall ER project will increase the capacity of the adult ER from 28 to 43 beds.

“The various elements of this renovation came together to enhance the patient experience, supporting our goal to see patients as quickly as possible and maximizing their safety, privacy and comfort throughout their visit,” said Andy Russell, M.D., Williamson Health Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Room physician. “The expansion is an incredible addition to our emergency department, and the renovations still to come will serve to further strengthen and enhance our ability to provide our community with the emergency care they deserve.”

New Postpartum Unit

Following the ER celebration, Williamson Health announced the opening of a new postpartum unit, designed to meet a need for expanded birthing resources. This is the first phase in updating the entire obstetrics unit (OB). From the design and functionality to construction and technology, every aspect of the project was created by women for women. Female leaders at Williamson Health, JE Dunn Construction and ESa came together to provide Williamson County residents with a brand-new facility and technology that reflects the exceptional care patients receive.

“Childbirth, specifically the postpartum period, is critical in the physical and mental health of the new mom,” said Heather Rupe, M.D., WMC Chief of Staff. “This new expansion will give us additional education and postpartum support areas.”

This expansion milestone includes the completion of a new 11-bed postpartum unit and newborn nursery. The postpartum rooms are larger, complete with desk space and Wi-Fi, offering more space for partners and family members to visit. Renovated bathrooms feature walk-in showers, sinks, toilets and shelves. The rooms also include state-of-the-art TVs that double as electronic whiteboards, making it easy for families to cast their favorite audio content to the TV. The brand-new nursery boasts an oversized viewing window, complete with a step for younger visitors, and private lactation spaces for nursing mothers as well as enhanced education spaces.

Future renovations will include fully renovated and expanded Labor, Delivery and Recovery (LDR) rooms and relocating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to its own secure wing. The new and forthcoming updates to WMC’s OB Unit will continue to enhance the level of services offered, allowing new parents to feel well cared for in their own community.

New Gift Shop

The newly expanded and renovated Gift Shop in the WMC main lobby has a fresh new look and luxury boutique feel. Offering a carefully curated selection of products, the shop was designed to be a shopping destination for patients, visitors and the community at large. The shop features a variety of products from local artisans including bouquets from Early June Flower Farm, “Mother Tag” necklaces from Happy Little Mother, locally made jewelry from Eleven Graces, handmade loveys from Bizzy Bee Crochet and a variety of greeting cards designed by a community resident. Co-branded items with Luke and Caroline Bryan will also be available exclusively at the Williamson Medical Center Gift Shop, and the shop will continue to carry items supporting the Brett Boyer Foundation. 

“We wanted to create a space that feels like an oasis for family and friends of patients,” said Leigh Williams, Williamson Health Foundation executive director. “These carefully curated items are an easy way to spread kindness while supporting local artisans.”

More to Come

None of these milestones in the ultimate renovation and expansion project would be possible without the continued support of the Williamson Health Foundation’s “More for You. Close to Home.” capital campaign. The team has been instrumental in garnering support from individual donors and corporate partners to raise more than $13 million for the project.

“This state-of-the-art project ushers in a new chapter of high-quality healthcare for our community,” said Williams. “We are asking residents to join in support because every gift helps us move toward our goal.”

Other parts of the $200 million project to be completed in 2024 and 2025, include:

• One additional C-section room to total three operating rooms on the OB Unit;
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) relocated to its own secure wing with nine private bays;
• New Heart Center including one new, state-of-the-art Electrophysiology (EP) Lab and two state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization Labs, and a Pre- and Post-procedure holding area;
• Full renovation of the existing ER including the addition of a secure, 8-bed pod for patients requiring additional privacy or security for all types of emergency or behavioral health needs;
• West Tower expands from three to six floors and adds a six-story north wing. The north wing includes 72 Medical/Surgical private inpatient beds; a 22-bed Observation Unit; and a new 35-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and large ICU public waiting area to replace the two 10-bed units in the Main Tower.
• Existing Main Tower will be renovated with larger patient rooms and new technology.