Jackson memorial to open one of the nation’s largest emergency departments | Health Wellness

In April 2026, Jackson Health System will unveil a new emergency room at Jackson Memorial Hospital designed for the reality of South Florida today: a fast-growing region where emergency rooms often serve as the front line of care.

When it opens, the expanded facility will be among the largest emergency rooms in the country. But the goal isn’t simply to build bigger.

The new space is designed to make emergency care faster, more coordinated, and more comfortable for patients and families – an environment that reflects the level of expertise Jackson physicians, nurses, and specialists have delivered to the community for decades.

“What excites me most is that we’re finally creating a space that truly reflects that level of excellence for patient care,” said Hany Atallah, MD, chief medical officer at Jackson Memorial. “Our patients deserve not only exceptional medical care, but a place designed to support healing.”

A Major Expansion

Opening April 23, 2026, the new emergency room represents a multi-million-dollar investment in the future of emergency care in South Florida. The project will more than double the size of Jackson Memorial’s current emergency room, and expand Jackson’s ability to treat more patients more efficiently.

“This project is about the people we serve. It’s designed to increase capacity, improve how we care for patients, and continue our mission of excellence to the community,” said Jorge Garciga, director of facilities design and construction at Jackson. “Private rooms instead of curtains, cleaner lines, less clutter. It’s a calmer space for patients, and a better environment for patient healing.”

Once the new emergency room opens, the current space will also be renovated and converted into a dedicated pediatric emergency room, expected to be completed in 2027. When finished, the full emergency complex will span nearly two city blocks, with separate entrances for adult patients along Northwest 19th Street and pediatric patients along Northwest 17th Street.

Different Paths to the Right Care

Not every emergency is the same, and the new emergency room at Jackson Memorial was designed with that reality in mind.

Inside the new space, patients will move through separate care pathways, depending on the urgency and complexity of their condition. Dedicated triage rooms allow doctors and nurses to quickly evaluate patients and begin testing right away, whether that’s an X-ray, lab work, or other diagnostics.

For patients with less complex needs, that can mean a much faster visit. Someone with a sprained ankle, for example, may be able to receive an X-ray, see a doctor, and head home in as little as one to two hours.

Others may need more time and monitoring. For those patients, the new emergency room includes 57 observation rooms located just upstairs, where patients can remain under care for up to 24 hours while doctors complete additional testing or evaluation.

At the same time, the new emergency room was designed to care for the most serious emergencies. Larger treatment and dedicated resuscitation rooms give care teams the space, equipment, and supplies needed for patients arriving by ambulance or experiencing life-threatening conditions.

“For our higher-acuity patients, those coming by EMS or those who arrive very sick, we need the space and resources to care for them effectively,” Dr. Atallah said. “The new emergency room was designed with that in mind.”

Key features of the expansion include:

130,000 square feet of new emergency care space, part of a 236,000-square-foot project at Jackson Memorial Medical CenterTwelve fast-track rooms, six triage rooms, and exam treatment areas designed to provide rapid care for patients with less severe conditions57 observation rooms for patients who need monitoring or additional testing for up to 24 hoursFour resuscitation rooms for the most critical emergenciesState-of-the-art private treatment rooms, equipped with digital screens that allow patients to see their care team, track test results, and stay informed about their careDedicated imaging services, including multiple X-ray rooms, CT scanners, MRI, and ultrasoundAn on-site pharmacy so patients can receive medications before leaving the hospitalA helipad (in addition to the one at Ryder Trauma Center), supporting rapid transport for critical patientsBuilt Around Care

Long before the first steel beams went up, the planning process for the new emergency room began with the people who know it best: the doctors, nurses, and emergency teams who work there every day.

The team also looked at leading emergency room designs across the country to identify ideas that could improve both efficiency and patient experience at Jackson. Hospital leaders brought clinical staff into the design process early, studying how care actually unfolds inside the emergency room, from the placement of supplies and equipment to the way teams move through a room while treating a patient. The planning team also consulted the many specialists and experts who are often called into the emergency room.

“No matter what kind of emergency walks through the door, we want our teams to have everything they need to respond quickly and effectively,” Dr. Atallah said.

The result is a space where even small details were carefully considered.

Treatment rooms are private, equipment is integrated into the walls to reduce clutter, and layouts were designed so teams can move efficiently while still keeping patients at the center of their attention.

“This expansion supports the future of healthcare, including flexible spaces, modern equipment, and improved clinical workflows,” Garciga said. “We worked closely with our medical staff to design spaces that support optimal patient care. Every detail – from the layout of the rooms to the placement of equipment – was designed to create a cleaner, calmer environment and a better experience for patients.”

For Garciga, the project represents more than a construction milestone.

“Ultimately, this project helps ensure our community has access to world-class emergency care when they need it most,” Garciga said. “It solidifies our mission of excellence at Jackson, and we’re proud to deliver this project to serve the residents of Miami-Dade County.”

Jackson Memorial’s new emergency room is slated to open on April 23, 2026, located at 1026 NW 19Th St. Parking is available on-site. For more information, visit https://jacksonhealth.org/jackson-memorial-new-emergency-department/.