Juneau, Alaska – SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) has entered into an official Joint Venture Agreement with the Indian Health Service (IHS) to construct a state-of-the-art medical facility in Sitka to replace Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital, the oldest hospital in the IHS system. Once completed, the Mt. Edgecumbe Expansion and Construction Project will further regional efforts by SEARHC to increase access to advanced medical services in Southeast Alaska.
With this agreement in place, SEARHC will begin construction on a modern, 25-bed critical access hospital and clinical space for enhanced Primary and Specialty Care services, located on Japonski Island in Sitka. The new medical center’s groundbreaking is slated for fall 2021.
“To continue to meet the needs of our communities and provide high-quality medical services for Southeast Alaska, an advanced facility will be built, bringing a new era of healthcare to our region,” said Charles Clement, SEARHC President and CEO. “The signing of this Joint Venture Agreement and its long-term funding partnership with the IHS will address the current and future health needs of our communities.”
Signed on July 23, 2021, the Agreement outlines the development and funding of the multimillion dollar healthcare facility in Sitka. SEARHC will lead the design and fund the construction of the facility. When the project is completed, SEARHC will receive additional long-term funding from IHS for the operations and maintenance of the new Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center.
“Our plans for this site strongly reflect our mission: Alaska Native People working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities,” said Mr. Clement. “This project will result in significant improvements to patient care in the region and increase access to high-quality healthcare close to home.”
For more information about the Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center Construction and Expansion Project, visit searhc.org/expansions.