Business, elected and community leaders from throughout metro Atlanta joined Grady executives for the official dedication of the Marcus Trauma & Emergency Center on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.  The dedication marked a key point in the construction project, which not only expands the department’s footprint, but facilitates new approaches to care that expedite treatment and improve the patient experience.

A significant portion of the expansion was funded through a contribution made by philanthropist Bernie Marcus.  He and his wife, Billi, were honored at the event, which included the unveiling of exterior signage that can be seen from the Downtown Connector.

“Billi and I take great pride in contributing to the success of places that really matter.  Grady is one of those places, and it continues to improve and save lives every day.  I feel positive that the investment we made, along with other key partners, will allow Grady to continue to serve as the state’s leading provider of emergency care while setting new national standards for treatment and I look forward to following its incredible progress,” said Marcus.  

“Through this contribution and a prior gift that created the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center, Bernie and Billi Marcus have made an indelible mark on this institution.  Today, patients in both areas benefit from high-quality, leading-edge technology and care that can be received few places in the Southeast, if not the nation,” added Pete Correll, chair-elect of the Grady Health Foundation.  “We are incredibly grateful for their commitment to Grady and their understanding of the critical role this health system plays in our community.”

The Marcus Trauma & Emergency Center project was also financially supported by The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, as part of its $200 million pledge to Grady, and the New Markets Tax Credits Program, whose participants include SunTrust Community Development Enterprises, Community Hospitality Healthcare Services, and Invest Atlanta/Atlanta Emerging Markets, Inc.

“Public private partnerships like these are what has allowed Grady to achieve financial stability, attract top quality doctors, and play a role in key medical research,” said John Haupert, FACHE, president and CEO of the Grady Health System.  “We are grateful for all of those whose support made this important project possible and more importantly, will allow us to save more lives.

Construction began on the newly expanded and renovated Marcus Trauma & Emergency Center in 2014 and is expected to soon set a new national standard for care through the use of individual triage rooms, subwaiting areas, flexible treatment rooms and centralized nursing stations.  The design compliments Grady’s Rapid Medical Evaluation Care Delivery Model, through which physicians are the first caregivers to see a patient.