Emergency care is critical in the moment, and for many people, it’s also the first step toward restoring health. At St. Anthony Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department, treatment extends beyond trauma and lifesaving interventions. From birth through end of life, our emergency care professionals provide services ranging from orthopedic and general surgery to cardiology, pain management and mental healthcare. The department also provides IV antibiotics, hydration, immunizations, blood transfusions and many other non-emergent care services.
As demand for these services continues to grow, St. Anthony is investing in a space designed to meet the community’s evolving needs.
Meeting a Growing Demand
From 2025–2026, St. Anthony’s Emergency Department served 7,880 patients, including an estimated 1,440 pediatric patients and 500 clinic patients receiving nonemergent treatment unavailable in a typical outpatient setting. Patient volume increased 8% during the fiscal year — continuing an upward trend that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Susan Kock, a registered nurse and director of the St. Anthony Emergency Department.
Since the pandemic, the team has also treated more patients requiring a higher level of care. Kock says staff have consistently found creative ways to make the most of available space and equipment, but the remodel will give them more room to do what they already do well.
Additional rooms will accommodate patients receiving mental health and nonemergent services, such as infusions, and a more accessible entrance will help first-time visitors find the department. A new helipad will also give more direct and private access for flight crews.
The renovation will prioritize privacy as well.
“We have a lot of conversations that are delicate in nature, and we want to make sure that patients feel comfortable knowing we’re protecting their privacy,” says Kock.
A dedicated family room will provide a private setting for sensitive conversations, including those involving resuscitation or a critically ill loved one.
“Now, [with the remodel], we can have those conversations and give those families our full attention,” she says.
Kock has also seen an increase in adolescent mental health visits. Two new mental health spaces will offer greater privacy, with lighting, paint colors, furniture and equipment designed around these patients’ needs. White noise will help create a calmer environment in these spaces and will also be available in all patient rooms.
Additionally, the new spaces will have equipment and furniture suited to both emergency and nonemergent care.
“Not every patient is comfortable lying in a bed, especially those with chronic issues,” says Kock.
Patients and visitors alike have used the recliner. “It’s been greatly appreciated,” she says.
Developed in response to patient feedback, the comfort cart is especially helpful for those receiving mental health services who may spend longer stretches in the department. It’s stocked with personal care items, non-skid socks, puzzles, crosswords, coloring pages and fidget toys to help patients stay comfortable and pass the time.
As healthcare needs evolve, St. Anthony Regional Hospital remains committed to modernizing facilities to better serve the region. The Emergency Department renovation will create more private and welcoming spaces, accommodate advances in healthcare technology and the changing needs of emergency medicine, improve patient flow, and equip staff to respond efficiently when every minute matters.
What Your Support Makes Possible
Donor contributions have already helped bring more modern equipment and amenities to Emergency Department patients. Additional philanthropic gifts will help complete the renovation, elevating the care experience for thousands of patients and families each year. Simply put, your donation is an investment in emergency care for our entire community.
Kock hopes future contributions will also help the hospital earn its pediatric readiness verification by funding more pediatric-specific equipment.
“We are working on our pediatric readiness verification. It’s huge to be recognized by the EMSC [Emergency Medical Services for Children],” says Kock. “That is something we’re actively working on. … We have a big focus on our young population and how best we can support them.”
With construction now underway, Kock and the Emergency Department team look forward to the project’s anticipated completion in fall 2027.
“Safety for the patient and safety for our teams are always what we want to achieve,” says Kock. “Our goal is to be very thoughtful about the safety and care of our patients from the time they enter the hospital to when they are discharged.”
Kock credits the community with helping the team work toward that goal. “The outpouring of support that we have received from the community speaks volumes,” she says.
The Emergency Department remodel will build on the compassionate care patients already receive at St. Anthony Regional Hospital, and your donations will help make it all possible.
Learn more about the renovation and how your giving makes an impact beyond the physical space at the link below.