The raising of the beam included a Christmas tree and an American flag, and signatures from the future staff of the building are visible on the beam.
“ We are building more than a structure.
We are building a stronger future for the next generation of South Georgians.”
~ Hilary Gibbs, VP of Support Services and Chief Development Officer
“ It truly reflects the commitment of so many throughout the region to advance healthcare for the people we serve for generations to come.”
Nearly a year later, the project is expected to be completed and operational in late 2026, and the completion of the framework signaled the project’ s final stages being on time.
The project focuses first on the maternity ward, with 12 labor and delivery rooms, 24 postpartum rooms and six NICU rooms among the facilities being built in the tower.
Second, there will be more emergency and trauma service space. This includes an eightbay fast track, a three-exam fast track and 34 treatment rooms among other things.
The project will also change the layout and navigation of the hospital as a whole, according to the construction plans.
“ The new three-story tower will also reorient the main entrance from Pendleton Drive to Woodrow Wilson Drive to provide ease of access and convenience to expanded services,” the website’ s statement on the project says.
With such a large increase in space and coverage comes an increase in jobs as well; the hospital staff will host more career opportunities within the maternity ward and emergency services.
“ We will definitely need more team members and additional support to take care of all of those patients,” Kara Hope Hanson, SGMC’ s marketing manager, said.
This building project is not the end of SGMC’ s expansion, officials said, but the first of many projects that will expand SGMC in years to come.
“ There are more plans in the works for expanding access and different service lines and programs,” Hanson said.
October 2025 | Valdosta Scene 17