Courtesy Image Above is a rendering of the new patient tower building at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena, slated for opening in spring 2022.

ALPENA — Even in the midst of a global pandemic, construction for the long-awaited patient tower at MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena is set to begin. To celebrate this milestone, a virtual groundbreaking will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. This is the first virtual event of its kind held by MidMichigan Health.

“Even with all our community has faced during the COVID-19 crisis, this groundbreaking marks an extraordinary time in the history of our community,” said Chuck Sherwin, president, MidMichigan Medical Center-Alpena. “With state restrictions remaining in place, large gatherings are simply not possible at this time. Holding a virtual event is a great alternative and will allow residents both near and far, including our own employees, to join in the celebration.”

Those wishing to view the virtual groundbreaking are invited to visit the MidMichigan Health Facebook page at www.facebook.com/midmichigan. The Facebook Live video will stream at the top of the newsfeed beginning at 1 p.m.

“The new patient tower is the largest expansion of its kind, not just at our Medical Center, but in our community. This project is just one example of MidMichigan investing in our area. In fact, one of the many benefits of joining the health system is that we have the ability to make all private patient rooms a reality,” said Sherwin, who is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). “It is a new standard of care that is long overdue. Our community deserves to experience excellence for their care and that of their family and neighbors. We’re all looking forward to getting this project underway.”

The $63.5 million expansion and renovation project features a three-story patient tower. The tower will house 60 new private patient rooms, including eight intensive care unit beds, eight labor and delivery rooms, and 44 medical/surgical/telemetry beds. The new tower will also include 18 prep and recovery rooms, flex rooms, as well as five new operating rooms. The 99,000 square-foot project is slated to be opened in spring 2022. Once complete, many areas in the existing Medical Center will be renovated.

The MidMichigan Health Foundation has approved a fundraising campaign to provide a portion of the financial support for the building project. They rely heavily on the Foundation’s Development Council in Alpena which has historically advanced philanthropy gifts for the Medical Center over the years.

“The Development Council in Alpena has always supported the mission of the Medical Center,” said Ann Diamond, fund development director, MidMichigan Health Foundation. “We are excited to develop and offer opportunities for the community to support this project and looking forward to the roll-out of the campaign this summer.”

MidMichigan Health is a nonprofit health system headquartered in Midland.