Architect's rendering of new building

POUGHKEEPSIE – Vassar Brothers Medical Center announced it would construct a 78,000 square foot, $66 million expansion at its Poughkeepsie campus.

Groundbreaking is anticipated in the summer of 2010 with completion by the fall 2011.

Hospital President Dr. Daniel Aronzon said, Monday, this is phase one of the hospital’s expansion, which will also see conversion to single patient rooms. That is underway right now, he said.

“The first is a new state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center housing four new operating rooms, which will allow out-patient surgery to move from the main hospital to this new facility so it won’t have to compete with in-patient surgery and conflicts of scheduling.”

The new structure will also include a Medical Office Building and a 900 space parking garage. There will also be a café and retail space.

The project has been submitted to the City of Poughkeepsie and is also awaiting final approval from the Health Quest Board as well as other state and local authorities.

“The benefits of this new project will reach far beyond the hospital’s walls – we see this as a resource for our physician partners, our employees, our patient community and our neighbors,” said Dr. Aronzon.