Jackson Health to build third-floor shell and rooftop helipad at new Jackson Memorial ER; Public Health Trust approves contract renewal and multiple resolutions

Carlos Migoya, executive (role not specified in transcript), told the Public Health Trust that Jackson Health will build out a third-floor shell and a rooftop helipad above the new Jackson Memorial emergency department to avoid future disruptions and to provide space for expanding specialty services.

"By building out the shell and the helipad now, we will avoid future operational disruptions to the emergency department, which could prevent this expansion in the future," Migoya said, urging action before the hospital opens the new emergency department to patients in March of 2026.

The Trust heard that the shell will add about 54,000 square feet of space. Migoya said the hospital is exploring consolidating interventional radiology, catheterization labs, angiosuites and neuro suites currently housed in older buildings into the new space. He said dollars from a recently approved revenue bond would be set aside to fund the project if private fundraising does not meet targets.

Migoya reported that interior build-out of the new emergency department is well underway and that administrative teams are planning the move into the new facility. He also announced an internal leadership change: Joanne Ruggiero was promoted to senior vice president and chief executive officer of the Jackson Memorial Center campus with oversight of Jackson Memorial Hospital, Holtz Children's Hospital, the Women's Hospital at Jackson Memorial and the Lindner Rehabilitation Center. "She is a very dynamic leader who inspires her team, drives innovation, and remains committed to her roots as a nurse," Migoya said. He said Hamilton Clark will transition to senior vice president for hospital operations across the health system to oversee hospital CEOs.

The meeting included routine committee and fiscal reports and several administrative votes. The fiscal committee reported a liquidity drawdown in anticipation of payments expected in March and April and presented a packet with multiple resolutions for Trust approval.

Votes at a glance: the Trust recorded motions and approvals with no detailed roll-call tallies provided in the transcript. The actions taken in this meeting excerpt included: - Motion to set the meeting agenda: moved and approved (mover/second not specified; outcome: approved). - Motion to approve minutes: moved, seconded and approved (mover/second not specified; outcome: approved). - Approval of a credentialing report (presented earlier and noted as approved; specific details not specified in the transcript). - Renewal of the agreement between the Public Health Trust and Carlos Migoya, effective February 25 through June 27 (mover/second not specified in the excerpt; outcome: approved). - Approval of three fiscal resolutions listed in the meeting packet (text and ordinance/resolution numbers not specified in the transcript; motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved). - Approval of two additional compliance resolutions affecting the gait program and the pediatric center program (mover/second not specified in the excerpt; outcome: approved). - Motion to adjourn: moved, seconded and approved.

Discussion versus decision: the presentation of the emergency department project and the decision to set aside potential revenue bond dollars were presented as staff recommendations and planning steps; the transcript records the Trust approving administrative items and renewing the contract for Carlos Migoya. There was no recorded vote detail or substantive debate about the ER build-out in the provided excerpt.

The meeting concluded after committee and fiscal business and routine motions were taken. Additional details about the resolutions, including full text, vote tallies and motion sponsors, were listed in the meeting packet but not specified in the provided transcript excerpt.