JACKSONVILLE, ALA — Jacksonville is making strides toward reestablishing emergency room services after years without such facilities. The city is currently in discussions with RMC to potentially construct a freestanding emergency care unit on the Jacksonville State University (JSU) campus.
Public Information Officer Ben Nunnally emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Anniston doesn’t seem that far away until you are riding in an ambulance.”
The city has been without an emergency room since RMC Jacksonville closed in 2018, prompting the facility’s integration into JSU and sparking a search for healthcare solutions. Nunnally explained, “Basically they weren’t able to even break even running the hospital.”
Riverview Regional Medical Center from Gadsden has also expressed interest in the project. Nunnally noted, “Unexpectedly, yesterday in the afternoon before our council meeting, Riverview from Gadsden got in touch with us as well.”
City officials are committed to ensuring the right partnership is formed. “It is an urgent issue, but we also want to make sure that we do it right with the right people,” Nunnally said.
The proposed facility would be built on Pelham Road North, across from Hugh Merrill Hall.
The city has pledged up to $1.2 million for equipment, though no formal agreements have been reached, and the timeline for construction remains uncertain.
The proposed emergency department aims to serve the broader public, not just JSU students. City leaders hope to finalize a partnership following the university’s Board of Trustees meeting later this month.