OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) - East Alabama Health is in the midst of two major projects totaling more than $76 million, aimed at strengthening critical care and mental health services for families across the region. Both projects—the $32 million expansion of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) and the $44 million freestanding Center for Mental Health—are designed to meet the community's growing needs and prepare for future challenges.
$32 Million ICU Expansion at EAMC
East Alabama Health is embarking on a $32 million expansion project to enhance critical care capacity at EAMC. The project will add three floors to the hospital's West Pavilion, ultimately providing 30 additional ICU beds and room for future growth.
Greg Nichols, Executive Vice President of East Alabama Health, said the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for expanded critical care space.
"One of the things we saw during COVID is the need for more critical care beds if we ever face a crisis like that, which hopefully we won't," Nichols explained. "But also, we recognize our community is growing so fast, the acuity of the patients we see is increasing, so the need for critical care beds is important to be able to serve our community."
The expansion will add 67,395 square feet, with the third floor dedicated to mechanical space, the fourth floor reserved for future growth, and the fifth floor housing the new ICU. The ICU will include a 20-bed unit with a satellite pharmacy and a 10-bed unit that can flex between step-down and intensive care.
Nichols said the project is designed to streamline care.
"We don't want people to wait for care—that is not our goal at all—so this is just to prepare as our community grows, so we can see those patients in a very timely manner," he said.
Construction began in summer 2024, with completion targeted for late fall 2025. Patients are expected to move into the new ICU by early 2026.
$44 Million Center for Mental Health
Just across campus, a $44 million freestanding Center for Mental Health is also nearing completion. Located in the Village Professional Park near the Spencer Cancer Center, the 55,000-square-foot facility will expand inpatient psychiatric services from 28 to 40 private beds and serve as the new home for East Alabama Psychiatric Services (EAPS), offering both inpatient and outpatient care.
Greg Nichols, Vice President of Facilities, said the project was designed with input from psychiatrists, nurses, and mental health staff to ensure a safe, therapeutic environment.
"Every detail has been chosen and designed for the care of the patient and the safety of the patient," Nichols said.
The center will feature private patient rooms, natural light, dedicated courtyards for men, women, and adolescents, as well as expanded space for therapy, group activities, and schooling for young patients.
The existing mental health space at EAMC will be transitioned into senior psychiatric services.
"We are committed to mental health. We care for people in our community and must have a facility like this," Nichols added. "It's going to be a wonderful environment with dignity and compassion…and to be able to expand the services going from 28 beds to 40 beds means we can care for more people."
The facility is expected to open in fall 2026 and will also host a psychiatric residency program to train the next generation of providers.
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