Photo by Nancy Taylor About 20 children of patients, staff members and others from throughout the community made up the “thank you” display at the end of Friday’s announcements.

BELPRE — The Memorial Health System formally announced the planned construction of a new Women and Children’s Hospital building at its Belpre Campus on Friday, developed in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital and initially projected at a cost of $125 million.

The announcement event was accompanied by the details of $35.5 million already committed to the project:

• $1 million from Hall Financial Advisors through founding partner and CEO Christopher Hall and his wife, Kimberly

• $1 million from the Dave and Arlene Archer Family

• $2.5 million from Peoples Bank, presented by Chuck Sulerzyski, President and CEO

Photo by Nancy Taylor These four Memorial Health System employees will be working in the new Pediatric Emergency Department, which will operate in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital when it opens. From left are Mandalyn Ludtman, RN; Lauren Hall, Patient Care Technician; Fiadh Angel, Emergency Department Technician; and Tori Dusky, RN. They’re standing in front of some of the graphics that have been used to make the halls and treatment rooms more child-friendly.

• $30 million in state funds announced by Ohio Rep. Jay Edwards.

The new facility will be on property now occupied by Toll Compaction at 721 Farson St., a plant adjacent to Memorial’s Belpre campus that deals with manufacturing processes such as dry granulation, milling, blending, pelletizing and repackaging, according to its signage. The plant will be demolished.

The Health System also used Friday as a chance to show off its newly completed Pediatrics Emergency Department. It has been developed in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital, as well, and is ready to go. It is set to open by year-end.

Several speakers Friday said the Pediatric Emergency Department, coupled with the Women and Children’s Hospital, will put Southeastern Ohio’s women and children’s care on a par with what is offered in metropolitan areas.

Several speakers emphasized that it will not only close existing critical care gaps but will dramatically increase the economic development potential of the entire region in terms of quality of health care.

Photo by Nancy Taylor These four Memorial Health System employees will be working in the new Pediatric Emergency Department, which will operate in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital when it opens. From left are Mandalyn Ludtman, RN; Lauren Hall, Patient Care Technician; Fiadh Angel, Emergency Department Technician; and Tori Dusky, RN. They’re standing in front of some of the graphics that have been used to make the halls and treatment rooms more child-friendly.

It will be the region’s only women and children’s hospital and the region’s only pediatrics emergency department, according to MHS published materials. And, it represents the largest healthcare investment ever made in Southeast Ohio.

Neonatal intensive care, pediatric emergency care and comprehensive women’s care, such as urology and gynecology, often have been unobtainable within the region. Parents are currently traveling at least two hours to get the care needed for their children. There are existing gaps in specialty care that also require patients to travel. The new facility will enable 1,600 local births, provide closer services for 200 neonatal intensive care for infants and grant increased access to essential specialty care.

The new pediatric emergency department is directly connected to the existing emergency room department. It will allow shared resources when needed, such as radiology, lab and the blood bank, or use of the trauma room.

State Rep. Jay Edwards, who recently became chairman of the House Finance Committee, played a pivotal role in securing the $30 million for the women and children’s hospital, according to MHS President and CEO Scott Cantley. He termed it “an unprecedented investment” bringing a state-of-the-art facility to an area where the need for the care is critical.

Edwards announced the $30 million at Friday’s announcement event.

Photo by Nancy Taylor These four Memorial Health System employees will be working in the new Pediatric Emergency Department, which will operate in partnership with Akron Children’s Hospital when it opens. From left are Mandalyn Ludtman, RN; Lauren Hall, Patient Care Technician; Fiadh Angel, Emergency Department Technician; and Tori Dusky, RN. They’re standing in front of some of the graphics that have been used to make the halls and treatment rooms more child-friendly.

“The state of Ohio is investing $30 million on this. It has been signed by the governor. It was an uphill battle, but it’s across the finish line now.”

Edwards was one of the speakers who described the $30 million as not just an important project for Memorial Health System, but as a “massive boost for economic development.”

The mood on Friday on the Belpre Campus of MHS was almost ecstatic at times, including a few spontaneous standing ovations from spectators and guests as they heard hopes and dreams and plans followed by good news.

Cantley stressed from the beginning of the Friday program that events had come as far as they had because of true community involvement and effort. He thanked the mayors of Belpre and Marietta and Washington County commissioners. He thanked the hospital board and the MHS Foundation board. He thanked 3,500 employees who have provided hard work and world-class care. The community interest and effort have been successful, yet at the same time they need to be maintained.

Jarrett Stull, Executive Director of Memorial Health Foundation, also had an emphatic reminder for the crowd: “As far as benefactors, we need everyone here. And beyond.”

Photo by Nancy Taylor Part of the people who attended Friday's Memorial Health System "Big Reveal" announcement finish up an optional tour of the new Pediatric Emergency Department.

Nancy Taylor can be reached at ntaylor@newsandsentinel.com