On Sept. 10, Seton Medical Center celebrated the completion of a 57,000-square-foot expansion that doctors say will have multiple benefits to patients and the community at large.

"This is exciting, we will be able to continue to provide state-of-the art care, growing with the community's needs and integrating the family with the daily care of patients," said Dr. Jordan Weingarten, pulmonologist and medical director of the Seton Medical Center Austin's Intensive Care Unit.

The expansion adds 60 new patient rooms in the hospital's intensive care, intermediate care and cardiology units.

The new patient rooms focus on promoting healing by including more natural lighting, larger waiting areas and patient rooms with sofa beds and larger bathrooms, Seton spokeswoman Ellen Decareau said.

"I think as you look at it, we paid attention to the patient perspective and the family and staff," added Dr. Mark Pirwitz, the president and chief executive officer of the Seton Heart Institute.

The expansion is part of a $48 million improvement effort. Future expansion includes a 3T MRI machine, which is seven tons and twice as powerful as a normal MRI, that the hospital will get in the winter, Decareau said. A new breast care center, which will offer comprehensive breast care services, is scheduled to be completed in spring, she said.