VALDOSTA — SGMC Health announced Monday the implementation of Phase I of its long-range master facilities plan.

An estimated $150 million investment, this initiative will bring about significant enhancements to the main campus in Valdosta and improve access to services, the health system said in a press release.

Among the notable improvements, the project includes construction of a uniquely designed women and infants’ tower with a dedicated entrance, a new emergency department and trauma center and the relocation of the main entrance from Pendleton Drive to Woodrow Wilson Drive.

SGMC Health President and Chief Executive Officer Ronald E. Dean shared, “I couldn’t be more proud of our SGMC Health team of employees, physicians and volunteers who laid the ground work for this transformative project through their commitment and dedication to the region of people we serve in South Georgia and surrounding communities.”

SGMC Health has experienced significant growth over the past four years, enhancing and expanding service lines across the system.

“We are extremely grateful to the patients and their families who trust us with their care each year. Our community’s support is a critical component of our team’s success. It enables and fuels our team to serve even better as we invest more resources in the applications of advanced technologies, programs, and facilities,” said Dean.

According to SGMC Health Vice President of Regional Hospital Operations Johnny Ball, the project will begin in April and includes several stages.

Initial changes will focus on optimizing underutilized sections of the main campus, SGMC Health said. This will include removing the former South Georgia Regional Library and Mathis City Auditorium buildings to make room for parking.

The second stage of Phase I will begin in the summer months with the construction of the foundation and preparation of the building site.

The third stage of the project will involve the construction of the building over an estimated two-year timeframe. This will begin the Fall of 2024. Throughout Phase I, all hospital services will continue to operate seamlessly without interruption, the health system said. Information about traffic flow and campus circulation will be communicated throughout the project.

Patients and community members are encouraged to explore the dedicated Womens and Infants’ Tower website at sgmc.org/growth where they can preview renderings, stay updated on news, observe real time progress of the project and access maps ahead of their visit whenever possible.

SGMC Health is a regional health care delivery system located in South Georgia. Supported by a workforce of more than 3,100 who care for 400,000 patients annually across 15 counties, SGMC Health operates four hospitals (Main, Smith Northview, Berrien, and Lanier), and a vast array of primary and specialty care services. Service lines with regional prominence include heart and vascular, stroke, trauma, cancer, orthopedics, surgery, and women and infants that help generate over $1 billion in economic benefit to the region.

For more information visit sgmc.org/growth.