21-03-2025
Awaiting final funding figure, Upstate Hospital leaders begin plans for new emergency department
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — In a rare joint interview, the two top leaders at Upstate Medical University are detailing plans for the hospital's new emergency department as they wait to hear how much money the project will get from New York State.
Regardless of the funding, the need is obvious.
'Sometimes we'll have 120 patients in our ED,' said Dr. Robert Corona. 'We have 35 beds.'
Corona, the CEO of Upstate University Hospital, and Dr. Mantosh Dewan, President of Upstate Medical University sat down for this week's edition of Newsmakers on NewsChannel 9.
Awaiting final funding figure, Upstate Hospital leaders begin plans for new emergency department
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The hospital's plan is to build an emergency department four times the current size in a yet-to-be-finalized location across the street from the facility.
Regularly feeling underfunded, Upstate University Hospital has asked for $450 million from New York State for the project. Their request was made by every local state senator and assembly member.
In her budget proposal, Governor Kathy Hochul is committing to $200 million, just under half the request. She'll have to negotiate with the State Legislature.
Both the State Senate and State Assembly have separately passed their own budget bills that fully fund SUNY Upstate's $450 million request.
Senator Chris Ryan, who advocated for the hospital funding even before being sworn in, said: 'I'm particularly proud that my call for full funding for SUNY Upstate was met. By including an additional $250 million for a total of $450 million, we're demonstrating the importance of this funding for key repairs and emergency room renovations.'
The expansion will come with more beds, more capacity for mental health emergencies and an enhanced burn unit.
One key desire is to separate walk-ins with less serious emergencies from the Level 1 Trauma patients who are rushed in.
'What's behind it is an incredibly deep infrastructure of specialists that are on 24/7,' said Dr. Corona explaining the complexities of any emergency department deserving of the Level 1 Trauma title. 'You have head trauma, you need neurosurgeons. You have cardiac trauma, you need a heart surgeon. Abdominal trauma, you need general traumatic surgeons.'
'You have to have a backup team,' said Dr. Dewan, 'because trauma often comes in multiples.'
He said: 'That's why there's only five trauma centers in the state that do Level 1 trauma for children and adults. We're very fortunate to have one in Syracuse.'
The space that holds the current emergency department will be renovated into a pediatric emergency room, including Level 1 trauma treatment for children.
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