Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills hosted a Dec. 6 ribbon cutting to celebrate the expansion of its emergency department. This project provides enhanced access to emergency care for the rapidly growing West Side of San Antonio that includes Westover Hills, Christus Health officials said.

According to a news release, the expansion to the hospital’s emergency department consists of adding 16 private treatment rooms, seven Fast Track bays to treat fewer emergent cases more effectively, as well as CT, X-ray, and lab services within the emergency department to support the growing needs of the Westover Hills community.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent surges from its variants and now respiratory cases, emergency department volumes continue to rise. Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills’ expansion allows clinical teams to care for an increased number of patients presenting with emergent health care needs, the release said.

Christus Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills President Patricia Burns said her facility’s patient base keeps growing because of the expanding far West Side population.

“In fact, we’re also seeing patients travel from surrounding communities, including Castroville, Helotes and Hondo. This expansion will ensure we are supporting the needs of our growing neighboring communities,” Burns said.

Christus Health officials said the $95 million project will add 172,000 square feet to the hospital, and it is scheduled for completion in December 2024.