Touted as the largest expansion in Slidell Memorial Hospital’s history, SMH unveiled its $52 million, three-story and more than 60,000-square-foot Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower. The tower, located on the main campus, features a new set of operating suites, an Intensive Care Unit and inpatient Medical/Surgical Unit equipped with private rooms that can be converted to negative pressure, enhancing SMH’s ability to treat airborne illnesses. SMH also invested in new technology, such as the da Vinci 5 surgical robot, to deliver innovative surgeries. A separate project phase will refit the old operating room space into a pre- and post-operative services unit that will tie into the new surgery floor to improve patient privacy and hospital efficiency. The tower’s grand opening was held Sept. 17 and attended by hospital leaders and team members, community members, and local dignitaries. “This facility is the fulfillment of our promise to the community — to bring more services and advanced care to our patients right here in Slidell,” said SMH CEO Sandy Badinger. “Thanks to your continued support, we’re able to keep healthcare local, which is exactly what our patients deserve from their community hospital. We truly appreciate your role in making this possible.” One of seven state-of-the-art operating suites in the new 3-story SMH Surgical Services and Patient Care Tower. Photo courtesy Slidell Memorial Hospital. Planning for the $52 million, 61,028-square-foot project began in 2020. It was brought to a public vote in April 2021. Voters in tax wards 6,7, 8, and 9 overwhelmingly approved a $23 million bond renewal to help finance the construction of this expansion, SMH paid the rest of the bill, and the hospital broke ground on construction in November 2022. Local companies DonahueFavret Contractors and Sizeler Thompson Brown Architects completed the project. “This is the largest expansion in Slidell Memorial’s history, making this milestone a great accomplishment for our hospital team members, construction team and architects — and especially for our community members who helped us grow,” said SMH Chief Administrative Officer Holly Sanchez, who led the project. “Through the collaboration of so many people, we are able to bring our community this beautiful new facility, equipped with the latest technology, that will make a difference in how we deliver care.” Slidell Memorial Hospital is a full-service acute care not-for-profit community hospital with two campuses, including 237 beds at its main campus (1001 Gause Blvd.), and 70 beds at its east campus, formerly Ochsner Medical Center – Northshore (100 Medical Center Dr.) In 2016, SMH and Ochsner Health entered into a joint operating agreement to offer area residents access to expanded local care. SMH works in an integrated environment with Ochsner, collaborating with leadership, physicians and team members to share best practices, grow services and implement advanced, patient-centered technology.