Ascension Regional President Dr. Stephanie Duggan.

Emergency physicians and administrators at Saginaw’s Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital are celebrating the future with an expanded emergency center. A groundbreaking was held Tuesday.

Ascension Regional President Dr. Stephanie Duggan said the $17.6 million project brings a state-of-the-art facility to Saginaw, with 24 exam/treatment rooms, plus two state-of-the-art trauma rooms.

Emergency Medical Director Dr. Steve McLean said the vast majority of patients’ first experience with the hospital is in the ER.

The new ER facility will open in the spring of 2021. Ascension is spending $50 million in facility improvements including Saginaw, Ascension Standish Hospital and Ascension St. Joseph in Tawas City.

Artist concept drawing of new facility. (Photo Courtesy Ascension St. Mary’s)