MARSHALL (KMHL) – Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center will cut the ribbon today on a brand new emergency department later this morning.

The new department has 10 all private rooms, and two trauma rooms. Avera Marshall CEO Mary Maertens says it will make a big difference for patients.

“We really feel confident there should be a very rare point in time when people should be waiting in a waiting room to be seen,” said Maertens. “That’s very important around patient safety.”

In addition, to the additional rooms nurses in the Emergency Department will have a centralized nursing pod, where they will have quick access to each of the patient rooms.

“It’s going to be much more efficient, and it’s going to help us get people into rooms faster,” said Emergency Department Manager Bobbi Jo Vandendriessche. “It’s going to be really nice for the community.”

The $6.2 million facility was built with a combination of money from Avera, the hospital and local fundraising efforts. To say thank you, the hospital hosted a donor event last night. Maertens was grateful to those who donated.

“None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, raising 10 percent of the project or just around $600,000,” said Maertens.  “We’re very grateful for it.”

The open house runs from 10 until noon today – the ribbon cutting ceremony and formal remarks will be held around 11:30.