City leaders and Saint Francis executives break ground on hospital expansion in Muskogee

MUSKOGEE, Okla. — Muskogee city leaders joined Saint Francis executives as they broke ground on a $150 million expansion at Saint Francis Hospital in Muskogee.

The new patient bed tower will give the hospital an additional 126 patient rooms, and new critical care units.

The rooms will be nearly 50% larger and there will also be a new chapel.

“Muskogee has always had the stigma that we need a better healthcare system, that residents for decades have felt like they needed to go to Tulsa or other areas to get quality healthcare. What this does today is say to our residents and our community, you no longer have to travel far to be well. You can be well here in your own community,” said Muskogee Mayor Marlon Coleman.

The new beds will help patients stay close to family and friends during recovery, helping overall outcomes and saving families hundreds of dollars in travel.

“We hope to extend the Saint Francis mission of the Healing Ministry of Christ, as we improve the quality of care and meet people in their time of need,” said Hospital President Michele Keeling.

Mayor Coleman found out just how important it is to have care close to home when he suffered a stroke earlier this year.

“Saint Francis saved my life with the minimum facilities they had at the time. I can only imagine how many more live they’ll be able to save,” he said.

Land clearing for the tower has already begun, and people can expect a few minor inconveniences throughout the construction process.

Saint Francis expects the new addition to be completed in 2025, giving the City of Muskogee and surrounding areas a whole new level of medical care.