Creighton, Neb. – Avera Creighton Hospital and Care Center has officially broken ground on a transformative $6.2 million renovation and expansion project, marking a significant milestone for the facility, which hasn't seen major updates since 1953.

Following the demolition of the administrative offices, the hospital is poised to enhance its facilities and bring new opportunities to various departments, including administration, laboratory, pharmacy, and rehabilitation.

To accommodate the ongoing construction, the hospital has temporarily relocated the emergency department entrance to the northeast side, just around the corner from the main entrance. This move ensures that patients continue to have uninterrupted access to emergency services during the renovation period.

The project, which had initial plans dating back to 2018 but was stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, resumed in 2025 with a focus on modernizing and expanding key areas of the hospital. The plans include the addition of six inpatient hospital beds, addressing a critical need for increased patient capacity.

Avera Creighton Hospital CEO Theresa Guenther highlighted the comprehensive nature of the project, stating, "There are plans to remodel our nurses and support stations, adding an E.D. room, so we'll have two E.D. rooms as well as a decontamination room within our E.D. We're also remodeling for our therapy, both physical therapy and occupational therapy, and then the cardiac rehab will share that gym space as well."

In addition to these structural improvements, the hospital will update its lab equipment to incorporate the latest technology, ensuring that patients in the Creighton area have access to modern diagnostics and treatments. The hospital is also prioritizing security enhancements, particularly within the pharmacy.

"We'll have additional security on the exterior of our building," Guenther explained. "Within our pharmacy, we'll have the entire pharmacy in a locked space so that we can secure those drugs for the pharmacists, as well as when that individual is making drugs and preparing them for administration, and that there is security around that as well."

The new renovations are designed to improve workflow efficiency for the staff and create a centralized nursing station. Avera Creighton Hospital Director of Nursing Courtney Hanefeldt noted the challenges posed by the current layout, stating, "Right now, our nurse's station is a little ways off from the E.D., and that can pose a challenge for nurses going back and forth because let's say nurses are caring for the E.D. as they are for the inpatient."

The relocation of the therapy area closer to the front of the hospital aims to improve accessibility for patients. Avera Creighton Hospital Doctor & Medical Director Adam Strehle emphasized the importance of the expansion in enhancing patient care. "With this expansion, we're going to be able to have access and to give care within our emergency facilities, as well as access to having facilities that are comfortable for our patients when they do have to spend the night with us," he said.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2026 and will be carried out in stages to minimize disruptions to hospital services. As areas are completed, services will be moved and adjusted to ensure a seamless transition.