Gail Magsaysay, of Munster, became the first patient to be served by the new, 24-hour, state-of-art Franciscan Healthcare-Munster Emergency Department on its opening day, Jan. 4. She is shown with Stevan Vuckovic, DO, who treated her for shoulder and leg pain after she drove to the hospital after falling on ice. Magsaysay, who said was pleased with the care she received, works near the hospital and saw signs advertising the opening. She added she also watched the progress of the two-year, nearly $70 million project, which also includes more patient rooms, a gift shop, a chapel and a cafeteria-dining room.
The project adds 80,000 square feet of space and 40,000 square feet of upgrades to the existing building to the hospital, 701 Superior Ave. The Emergency Department includes board-certified physicians and specially trained nurses, who are certified in CPR, advanced cardiac life support and pediatric advanced life support. Nursing staff members likewise have trauma training and completed emergency pediatric courses. The department treats the full scope of emergency conditions, including, but not limited to, chest pain, stroke, breathing difficulties, motor vehicle accidents, fractures, sprains, cuts, contusions and illness.