Indiana University Health is set to expand its services to the Fort Wayne community with the construction of a new hospital. This significant development comes just six years after the opening of IU Health Primary Care southwest of Fort Wayne. The project, with an investment of $421 million, has been approved, though the exact location remains undisclosed. It is expected to be near IU Health’s existing facilities on Ernst Road.
Key features of the new hospital include:
- 140 beds to accommodate a growing patient population.
- 17 emergency department exam rooms to provide immediate and critical care.
- 6 operating rooms equipped with the latest surgical technologies.
- 3 catheterization labs for advanced cardiac procedures.
- 3-4 endoscopy rooms for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
In addition to the hospital, a medical office building will be connected to the facility, enhancing the integrated care experience for patients and providers.
Dennis Murphy, President & CEO of IU Health, emphasized the organization’s commitment to meeting the community’s need for more affordable healthcare options: “We’ve heard the community’s call for more options in affordable healthcare, and as the state’s largest and only academic health system, we are committed to answering that need in support of our vision to make Indiana one of the healthiest states in the country. We believe we can help create a healthier future and reduce the economic burden for businesses and families alike.”
Other local health systems, such as Parkview Health and Lutheran Health, welcomed the new addition to the healthcare landscape. A Parkview Health spokesperson stated: “We are pleased to have another nonprofit health system joining us in caring for Fort Wayne/Allen County residents and helping serve those who need access to care.” Lutheran Health Network’s representative, Lauramarie Carmody, also expressed support: “The Fort Wayne community is fortunate to have many options available for healthcare services. Lutheran Health Network’s longstanding commitment to deliver high-quality health services across a large network of access points and hospitals remains strong, and we will continue to invest in the healthcare services our community most needs.”
The five-level hospital will employ 500 team members and 60 additional providers to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the Fort Wayne area. IU Health officials anticipate welcoming the first patient in the summer of 2027.
Since 2018, IU Health has added eight locations and more than 60 providers in the Fort Wayne area, offering primary care, urgent care, orthopedics, imaging, cardiology, pediatrics, and general surgery services. During this period, IU Health has served more than 30,000 patients.