What To Know:

Baptist Medical Center South is the largest healthcare facility in Central Alabama and is home to the only Trauma Center in the area. In 2024, our Emergency Department treated nearly 57,000 patients from a 17-county service area. With a current capacity of 53 Emergency Department Treatment Areas, we recognize the need to expand our facilities to enhance the care we provide to the community.

Construction is underway on a $14 million project to expand our Emergency Department at Baptist Medical Center South, with an expected completion date of early 2026. This expansion will add 11,205 square feet, increasing our treatment capacity to 83 rooms, with the potential to accommodate up to 98 treatment areas. These new Emergency Department Treatment Areas will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology that can be lifesaving in critical moments.

We understand that while the construction may cause some temporary inconveniences, the long-term benefits of expanding the Emergency Department will greatly outweigh these challenges. To help avoid confusion and keep the public as informed as possible, please see below for some important information. 

*Patients arriving by ambulance will not be affected by this construction project. 

Where To Go:

During construction, patients and visitors arriving at the Emergency Department via private transportation should enter from the east side of the hospital, across from the UAB Medicine Multispecialty Clinic building, near the ambulance bays. Designated Emergency Department parking will be clearly marked and located behind the UAB Medicine Multispecialty Clinic. 

Please note, to ensure the safety of everyone involved and to follow requirements from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), the service road in front of the hospital will be closed throughout the duration of this construction project. We collaborated with ALDOT to ensure proper signage and alternate routes are in place. 

Be on the lookout for highly visible signage throughout our campus to guide patients and visitors to their destinations and parking areas. We understand that parking can be challenging at Baptist South, and this project will add to that challenge. However, we are committed to minimizing disruptions as much as possible and are pleased to offer a free shuttle service to patients and visitors during the construction period. To access this shuttle, please call (334) 747-5555.

An expanded welcome area has been completed to accommodate patients and visitors upon arrival. This entry area includes a security check with a metal detector and Badge Pass registration. Once registered, a team of Guest Coordinators will be available to guide Emergency Department patients to the current waiting room. From there, the usual patient check-in process will proceed as normal.

Our hospital is changing, but the expertise and compassionate care that people expect from Baptist Health will remain unchanged. As with all construction projects, growth can lead to some challenges, but our teams have been planning for this transition for months. We are committed to making this process as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Thank you for your patience as we continue to make progress to better serve you and our entire community!