FAIRHOPE — The USA Health free-standing surgery center should be completed in about a year following the start of construction on the Mapp Campus.

The 25,000-square-foot facility will include six operating rooms, two procedure rooms, pre-operation and post-operation rooms, said Owen Bailey, USA Health CEO, at a groundbreaking event for the center Tuesday, May 24.

"It's a very exciting project and we think it's going to be complementary to the Baldwin County health care system," Bailey said.

The total cost of the hospital will be about $20 million, including $13 million in construction costs and $7 million for equipment, Bailey said.

Bailey said the new center will help meet the needs of a growing population in Baldwin County. He said about half of Baldwin County's population lives within 15 miles of the site.

"We all know about the incredible growth that's happening in Baldwin County and it's our responsibility as health-care providers to meet the needs that come along with that growth," Bailey said. "So, this campus is going to provide more options for care locally here in Baldwin County and it's going to improve access to care and, in many cases, it's access to that specialized care that you'll only find in an academic health-care setting."

The surgery center will include a Mako robotic arm to assist in total joint replacements. Specialties will include pediatrics, orthopedics, urology, general surgery, gastroenterology, ear, nose and throat, a USA Health statement said.

Dr. Bill Richards, chair of the USA College of Medicine and USA Health, said the center will provide the most advanced surgical services for area residents.

"Enhanced patient outcomes and training the next generation of surgeons," Richards said. "Throughout the evolution of surgery, we seek the safest most effective way to conduct surgery, to provide our patients with the best care possible."

Bailey said many more surgical procedures can now be done on an out-patient basis. He said the center will also be a training center for doctors and others studying with the University of South Alabama.

"I think a key is this is another site to train caregivers, not just physicians," Bailey said. "We're talking about the ability to train nurses and OR techs and nurse practitioners, CRNAs. There's the ability to train really the whole range of health care providers."
Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said the center will be a major benefit for area residents.

"In Fairhope, we've been very fortunate to have excellent health care, excellent schools, things that make a great community," Sullivan said. "People who have vision for these types of projects and just really brings home the whole partnerships and relationships you build here on the Eastern Shore and the things you're able to accomplish because of those relationships."

State Sen. Chris Elliott said Baldwin County's growing population will need additional services.

"This is exciting, and it's been a really long time coming and I'm really glad that it's here and glad that it's successful," Elliott said. Baldwin County has grown by 7,520 people since the 2020 census. That's a lot of folks and that's a trend line that continues to go up and this center will certainly benefit these folks as they come here. There's no doubt about it."

The surgery center will be on the same eight-acre parcel as a physician office building scheduled to be completed in October, Bailey said. The three-story physician office building will include Baldwin Family Medicine and USA Health specialty care providers.
Bailey said having the two centers on the same site will allow patients to have preparatory meetings, tests and doctor visits at the office building before undergoing surgery at the center.

The site at the southeast corner of Alabama 104 and Alabama 181, is designated the Mapp Family Campus. The facility is named for Louis and Melinda Mapp who donated the eight-acre parcel to USA Health.