Renovations to Sheehan Health Network

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A Buffalo hospital that was once in jeopardy of closing its doors is now expanding.

Officials announced plans to expand the Sheehan Health Network by more than 18,000 square feet.

The Sheehan Health Network Interim, Lucille Sheedy said, "One of the hopes is by expanding and having easy access, it will reduce the amount of people that show up in the emergency room because a lot of those people need primary care."

Parents like Letitia Adams say the renovations are needed.

"When I first came here it was unknown, I didn't know where I had to go, did I have to sign in or anything? So I think there will be some nice changes coming," Adams said.

Those changes also include adding at least two more primary care doctors.

Doctors who will serve residents in an area plagued by high rates of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

Sheehan Board Chairperson, Lavera Johnson said, "Sheehan's plan is a community plan. We're here for you because a community is here."

Sheedy, who grew up around the corner on Clinton Street, gets excited when she thinks about Sheehan's rich history.

I had my appendix out here in 1956, at the old emergency hosptial," Sheedy exclaimed.

"Now I have an opportunity to give something back to where I started," she said.

Sheehan Health Network received a 2 million dollars state grant to make this project possible.

Officials here say they will start construction mid September and they must be finished by the end of the year.