June 6, 2025
June 6, 2025
On Thursday, June 5, Cooley Dickinson donors, legislators, community leaders and media representatives were invited to a sneak peek of the new addition of the hospital’s Emergency Department.
Supported by a robust capital campaign, the $26 million upgrade and expansion will enhance efficiency and expand the unit by 40%, with the addition of nine new patient rooms, four mental health care beds, a family waiting area, and an in-unit CT scanning machine for more timely access to diagnostic imaging.
Artist’s rendering of new Emergency Department at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
More than $12 million in gifts have been raised to support the expansion of Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Emergency Department. “Our community has embraced this project, and, through their incredible generosity, they have helped us secure several significant challenges including those made by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and bankESB,” said Chief Development Officer Diane Dukette.
“We are so very grateful for the support of all our donors. Their giving has helped expand and renovate our community emergency department to ensure the most compassionate, highest quality care is available for every patient.”
CDH President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Whitney, DNP, RN.
In his remarks to the more than 175 people in attendance, CDH President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Whitney, DNP, RN, stressed the importance of the project and the community support that has made it possible. In addition, he noted the new space will “complement the incredible CDH Emergency Department team of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, ED techs and support staff. We appreciate all this team does every single day, 24/7, to support our community in need of emergency care.”
Chief of Emergency Services Dr. Alberto Perez highlighted the need for the ED expansion, noting the current department was built more than 30 years ago to serve 17,000 patients annually. “Now, we can see up to 60 ambulances on any given day,” noted Perez. “The expansion of the ED allows better access to care for our community; shorter wait times; technology within the ED for faster diagnoses; private rooms; and helps us continue to focus on our goals of improving quality and safety as well as the patient’s experience,” he said.
Demand for Emergency Department services at CDH has grown significantly, with annual patient volume increasing from 17,000 in the 1970s to nearly 40,000 in recent years. ED teams treat approximately 300 traumatic injuries per year and last year alone, more than 6,000 patients needed to be admitted for further care.
While the new addition will be operational within the next few weeks, renovations in the existing Emergency Department will be completed in early 2026.
Features of the new Emergency Department include:
- Larger Behavioral Health Pod: Hampshire County has a high rate of mental health hospitalizations, as compared to the statewide average. Cooley Dickinson’s current behavioral health pod, while state-of-the-art, is half the size to meet demand. Increasing the number of these specialized spaces will create a healing environment that respects the privacy of all.
- CT Scanner Embedded in the ED: A new CT Scanner will reduce the time it takes for patients to receive a CT scan – a difference that can be life-changing.
- Enhanced Geriatric Care: Our community is aging, with the percentage of Hampshire County’s population over age 60 expected to triple from 10% in 2010 to 32% by 2023. Currently, older adults make up 32% of Cooley’s Emergency Department patients and they are presenting with more complex needs than ever before.
- Enhanced Pediatric Care: Improvements will include pediatric friendly areas for children who are being seen or are in observation.
- Streamlined Admission Process: When it comes to medical care, privacy is always critically important. This project includes renovations to the admissions area that further separate this space from the waiting area, increasing patients’ privacy and improving their admission experience.
Emceeing the event was Molly Keegan, a Cooley Dickinson Hospital trustee and an Emergency Department campaign cabinet member. Keegan announced the remaining goal of $13.5 million to be raised by the end of December. To support the Campaign for Cooley Dickinson Hospital Emergency Department, please visit our campaign page.
