Strong Hospital plans to triple the size of its emergency department

ROCHESTER N.Y. (WHEC) – Strong Hospital plans to triple the size of its emergency department by 2027, including adding more than 100 private rooms for patients.

The University of Rochester Medical Center announced the expansion on Tuesday, which will address bed shortages and emergency department overcrowding, which the hospital experienced several times during the pandemic.

The project includes building a nine-story patient bed tower west of the hospital’s main entrance, at 601 Elmwood Ave. The hospital will also renovate its current patient tower along with adding more than 200 examination, treatment, and patient observation stations.

In total, the project will add 650,000 square feet to the hospital. The emergency department will expand from 46,000 to 175,000 square feet.

URMC said the expansion plans are subject to change and will require approval from the University Board of Trustees and New York State Department of Health.