U-M Health Announces $28M Ionia Hospital Expansion for Better Care

URGENT UPDATE: The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents has just approved a groundbreaking $28 million expansion of the U-M Health-Sparrow Ionia facility, aiming to significantly enhance healthcare access in the region. This decision was confirmed during the board meeting held on November 20, 2023.

The ambitious project will see the construction of a new 31,000-square-foot ambulatory center adjacent to the existing hospital at 3565 S State Road, Ionia. This facility is set to house vital services including primary care, imaging, oncology, orthopedics, and cardiology, making healthcare more accessible to the local community.

“This new building will reflect University of Michigan Health’s ongoing commitment to serving our patients as close to home as possible by providing high-quality health care to all the communities in which we serve,” stated Dr. David Miller, University of Michigan executive vice president of medical affairs and Michigan Medicine CEO.

The funding for this expansion will be sourced from U-M Health-Sparrow resources, and design and construction are expected to take approximately 30 months. This expansion is crucial as the Sparrow Ionia facility has experienced remarkable growth in both inpatient and outpatient services since its inception in 2015.

As the region demands more healthcare services, the new center aims to alleviate pressure on existing facilities while supporting planned growth in specialty clinics and primary care. “We are happy to expand our community-based services and provide even more access to the clinical expertise of U-M Health,” said Connie O’Malley, chief operating officer of the U-M Health Regional Network.

The U-M Board of Regents previously approved the $800 million acquisition of the Lansing-based Sparrow Health System in December 2022, officially integrating all Sparrow hospitals into the U-M Health System brand by April 2023.

As this expansion unfolds, it marks a significant step towards improving healthcare options for the residents of Ionia County and surrounding areas. Residents can look forward to enhanced services and the availability of specialized care closer to home, reinforcing the University of Michigan’s commitment to community health.

Stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses and new services are rolled out to meet the growing needs of the community.