June 25, 2008

Regions Hospital launches fundraising campaign for new ER
Topping-off ceremony part of campaign kick-off event

St. Paul, Minn., - The public phase of a special fundraising effort for the east metro's only Level I Trauma Center gets underway this week. The Regions Hospital Foundation's capital campaign, "Lead. Inspire. Save Lives," aims to raise $7.6 million - the cost of the initial phase of the new Emergency Center. More than $6.6 million has already been committed by local businesses and community leaders in the advanced phase of the campaign.

Regions' new ER will open in July 2009 in response to the growing healthcare needs of the area. The expansion is vital. Regions' ER is the front door for more than 50 percent of the patients cared for at the hospital. More than 71,000 patients are expected to be cared for in the ER in 2009.

The new ER will feature:

• increase in beds from current 35 to 68
• an enlarged triage area and comfortable waiting room
• a new 11-bed crisis unit self-contained for patients with behavioral health diagnoses, providing patients with the right care at the right time

A kick-off event for the public phase of the capital campaign will be held on Thursday. The event includes a topping-off ceremony celebrating the completion of the tallest part of the expansion project. Jim Humphrey, chairman, president and CEO of Andersen Windows and Mark Baker, president and CEO of Gander Mountain, are co-chairing the campaign.

What: Topping-off celebration for Regions Hospital expansion
When: Thursday, June 26
4:30 to 6 p.m. - brief presentation begins at 4:55 p.m.
Where: Rooftop of Regions new employee parking ramp
Northeast intersection of Robert Street and University Avenue, St. Paul

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman will be among the guest speakers. Hard hat tours of Regions' expansion project are available. Contact Regions public relations team at 651-629-0411 to arrange a tour.

Regions Hospital is a Level I trauma center and teaching hospital, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin for more than 130 years. Regions is a private hospital providing outstanding care in women's health, heart, cancer, surgery, orthopaedics, burn, emergency care and more. Regions is part of the HealthPartners family of care. Additional information is available at regionshospital.com.