Saint Francis says Muskogee hospital expansion to accept first patient Dec. 15; 158 new rooms, major equipment upgrades
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Summary
Saint Francis Health System leaders told the Muskogee City Council Nov. 3 that construction of a seven‑story hospital expansion is in its final phase, with a planned first patient admission on Dec. 15 and a ribbon cutting on Dec. 5. The presentation outlined capital investments, new services, recruitment and expected regional economic impacts.
Michelle Keeling, representing Saint Francis Hospital Muskogee, told the City Council on Nov. 3 that the hospital expansion is nearing completion and that the first patient is expected Dec. 15, with a community ribbon cutting planned for Dec. 5.
Keeling identified the project as a multi‑year effort that began design and construction in 2022. She said earlier system investments between 2017 and 2025 totaled about $90 million to $95 million for equipment and facility updates. The current expansion adds approximately 290,000 square feet and includes 158 new inpatient rooms, expanded critical care capacity, and space reserved for future growth.
Keeling described key features: an enlarged lobby with easier access, a new cardiac catheterization lab, modern radiology suites with CT and MRI, a radiation linear accelerator for cancer care, and telehealth equipment in every patient room. She said the hospital will have about 62 critical care beds after the expansion, up from roughly 44 today.
The presentation included workforce and economic metrics: Saint Francis has recruited 38 physicians to the Muskogee campus since 2021 and expects to add about 116 new hospital positions associated with the expansion. Keeling told the council the total construction investment for the expansion phase is about $280 million, and regional economic reports prepared with the Tulsa Regional Chamber estimate construction supported nearly 3,000 jobs during build‑out and will contribute several million dollars annually in labor income and tax revenues once open.
Keeling and senior leaders also described quality improvements: the hospital moved from a historical two‑star rating to a four‑star rating and received national recognition, including a top‑100 hospital designation and an award for quality improvement. The presentation credited local partnerships and noted ongoing recruitment needs for some specialties.
"We expect our first patient on December 15 and open our front lobby," Keeling said. "We will have a ribbon cutting and community open houses in early December."