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Over the RI Line, Sturdy Health Stands Strong – Doubling Emergency Dept, Adding Behavioral Unit
Sturdy Health to Host Groundbreaking for New Emergency Department Expansion
Sturdy Health, a provider of community-based care in Attleboro, will host federal, state and local elected officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of its new, 38,000 sq. ft. Emergency Department Expansion in Attleboro, Mass.
The ceremony will take place on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (speaking program begins at 11 a.m.) at the hospital at 211 Park St.
The new, two-story addition to Sturdy Memorial Hospital’s existing emergency department will nearly double the capacity and improve access and technology to meet the increasing needs of local communities and families. The project will enhance the patient and provider experience, including establishing a dedicated, secure behavioral health unit to support acute therapeutic intervention for patients experiencing mental health crises.
Confirmed to participate are:
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
Sec. Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey
City of Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone
State Sen. Paul Feeney
State Rep. Jim HawkinsAimee Brewer, President & CEO, Sturdy Health
Donna Kimmel, Board Chair, Sturdy Health
About the Emergency Expansion Plan:
Sturdy will be transforming their Emergency Department with state-of-the-art facilities to expand access, advance technology, provide specialized support, and to meet the increasing needs of the communities we serve. This project underscores Sturdy Health’s dedication to delivering exceptional acute care through innovation and cutting-edge solutions.
A reimagined helipad will be constructed to continue allowing rapid air transport for patients who require critical care. The ground floor of the building will provide covered parking. The first floor will be a 38,000-square-foot emergency department. This project will dramatically increase capacity with 18 new spaces for a total of 50 patient exam rooms for emergency care provision.
There will be a dedicated, secure 12-bed Behavioral Health Unit connected to the Emergency Department to meet the critical need for acute behavioral health intervention. This specialized unit will provide a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for patients who are experiencing a mental health crisis and awaiting transfer to a specialized facility.
- A 38,000-square-foot Emergency Department
- 50 patient exam rooms, including 18 new spaces
- 6 fast track rooms to ensure rapid treatment for less critical conditions
- 2 cutting-edge trauma rooms equipped for life-saving care
- On-site imaging and CT scanning for seamless diagnosis
- 12 secure private rooms in a dedicated behavioral health unit
Sturdy’s Recognitions
Sturdy Hospital recently was named one of the 100 great community hospitals by Becker’s Hospital Review, noting “Sturdy Memorial Hospital is a 128-bed community hospital in Southeastern Massachusetts. Under the leadership of its president and CEO, the hospital has launched two major capital projects, a $60 million cancer and specialty care building and a $112 million emergency department expansion. In 2025, Sturdy Health announced a transformative partnership with Boston-based Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, bringing world-class ambulatory cancer care, clinical trials and resources to the local region. The hospital has also introduced Mako robotic-arm assisted surgery to enhance orthopedic outcomes, and expanded its obstetric services during a time when many hospitals are scaling back on maternal health initiatives. The hospital’s quality and safety excellence is reflected in accolades such as an “A” from The Leapfrog Group, a Baby-Friendly designation, and multiple Healthgrades awards for stroke, pulmonary and critical care.
Sturdy has recently received not only the Becker’s award, but was added to Becker’s “Community hospital CEOs to know” list – “Top Places to Work in Healthcare” – and the vice president and chief human resources officer Natalie Cook was named among the “Top Hospital and Health System CHROs to Know in 2025”.