Why a New ER?

More Convenient Access.
Faster Service.
Customized Care.
Same Exceptional TMH Quality.

Over 60 years ago, Tallahassee Memorial, which had recently been established by the City of Tallahassee, began operations in a drafty, World War II Air Force hospital barrack at Dale Mabry Field. The site was near the present-day location of Tallahassee Community College.

There was a sense of urgency when City Commissioners learned the Air Force was closing the base. Commissioners directed a group of community representatives to study the feasibility of constructing a new facility. They proposed a small hospital on the corner of Magnolia Drive and Miccosukee Road.

The construction of this new facility housed the first local Emergency Center. Later, a new wing would house an expanded emergency room that was used until 2003. At that time the TMH Emergency Center was caring for nearly 60,000 patients. When the new Bixler Emergency Center was opened in 2003, it was expected to not reach its capacity for many years. But greater demand for emergency services led to increased wait times for our community.

To improve wait times, we developed the Tallahassee Memorial Urgent Care Center. It has also reached its capacity limit. Now over 120,000 patients are treated in the two facilities each year. 

During a medical crisis, access to emergency care is critical. Long wait times are not acceptable. Therefore, we believe that the solution is a free-standing emergency room. With access a focus for many in our region, there is no better place for the Emergency Center than at the corner of Thomasville Road and I-10.

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare has estimated the overall investment in land, construction and equipment will total $22.5 million.