In a move to create a more comprehensive system of needed trauma and emergency care for Chicago’s South and Southwest side communities, Sinai Health System and the University of Chicago Medicine are partnering to build and operate a Level 1 adult trauma center and to expand emergency services.

The UChicago Medicine and Sinai Health System new joint Level 1 adult trauma center will be at Holy Cross Hospital, part of the Sinai Health System. Holy Cross, at 68th Street and California Avenue, is near some of the highest incidence of trauma injury and gun violence in the city.

Under the University of Chicago Medicine-Sinai Health System partnership:

Holy Cross Hospital will renovate and expand its emergency department and build a state-of-the-art Level 1 adult trauma center.

UChicago Medicine will provide capital to help fund the facility improvements at Holy Cross Hospital, which are estimated to be in the range of $40 million.

Sinai Health System, which operates a trauma center at Mount Sinai Hospital, will provide specialists dedicated to trauma care, including emergency department physicians, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff, along with trauma care support services.

UChicago Medicine will provide specialists at the new trauma center dedicated to trauma care, including general trauma, neurological, orthopedic and plastic surgeons, urologists, and other areas.

In addition to the new trauma center at Holy Cross, UChicago Medicine plans to increase access to emergency services on its Hyde Park campus by expanding and building a state-of-the-art adult emergency department.

“This new Level 1 adult trauma center is a true community and civic effort, and the City of Chicago looks forward to working with the key stakeholders to bring this to fruition,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “I commend the University of Chicago, Sinai Health System, and Holy Cross Hospital for working collaboratively to meet an important need on the South Side. This partnership will strengthen their longstanding commitment to their communities and proves once again why these institutions are an asset to our great city.”

Both institutions bring significant experience and expertise to the partnership. Holy Cross Hospital, which serves many communities, including Englewood, Auburn Gresham and Marquette Park, is one of the largest providers of emergency care in Illinois. Sinai Health System and UChicago Medicine run high-volume emergency departments. Sinai Health System has provided Level 1 trauma care for more than 25 years. UChicago Medicine has had dedicated Level 1 pediatric trauma and burn units at its Comer Children’s Hospital for over a decade.