In 2009, Amy Rodwell's husband noticed something different about his wife.
"I was not moving my left side," said Amy Rodwell. "I was talking nonsense. Sagging face. Called an ambulance, and then it started."
Her first stop was Jameson Health System's emergency room.
"Saved my life," said Rodwell. "I came here having a major stroke, and they acted quick and with exactly what I needed done. Today I'm good to go."
And because of their life saving measures, Amy witnessed firsthand the people who helped save her life break ground on a brand new, state of the art emergency department at the New Castle hospital Friday.
"Right now the facility is somewhat of a maze," said Donna Cochran, director of nursing. "Little pods. This will consolidate it to bring all the care together."
With more than 40,000 emergency room visits each year, the hospital system needed more space.
The new $16 million, 66,000-square-foot building will have 30 ER rooms, six operating rooms and two endoscopy suites.
The staff at Jameson had a hand in the planning and design of the new facility. They brought with them a very important wish list.
That list included privacy for both employees and patients as well as increased security.
"We've given all the nurses an opportunity to see the plans ahead of time and contribute improvements," said Anna Zumpella, patient care manager. "What they thought should be a different place, what would make it easier to work in the facility."
Construction is expected to be complete in 2013.
