Lehigh Valley Health Network officials held a virtual groundbreaking Tuesday afternoon for its new hospital slated to open in the spring of 2022 in Mahoning Township.

“Our health care team is humbled to heal, comfort, and care for the wonderful people of Carbon County,” said Dr. Brian A. Nester, president and chief executive officer of LVHN. “This facility will provide residents of Carbon County and nearby communities with convenient access to the care you need close to home.”

Lehigh Valley Hospital-Carbon will be built on land cattycorner to the Walmart Superstore on Blakeslee Boulevard.

It will cover over 100,000-square-feet and feature 18 private inpatient beds, a 12-bay emergency department, two operating rooms, two procedure rooms and four observation rooms with plans to expand in the future.

The hospital will also have a helipad to transport critical patients as needed, while a medical office building is also planned as part of the project.

It will also feature telemedicine services from Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute and Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence.

“We’re very happy to see the groundbreaking for this hospital,” said state Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon. “It will be a tremendous benefit to residents and will be providing world class access to inpatient and outpatient treatment, while at the same time creating jobs here and supporting our local economy.”

Nester said the hospital would support about 150 new jobs when it opens.

“I am completely thrilled to hear about LVHN breaking ground here in Carbon,” said Marlyn Kissner, executive director of the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation. “We are so excited for the opportunities for businesses and residents because of the new jobs and great health care this hospital will bring.”

Services at the hospital will include inpatient care, inpatient and outpatient surgery, rehabilitation, diagnostic cardiology, radiology, an infusion center and 24/7 emergency care.

“We are really excited for Carbon County to finally get a state-of-the-art hospital facility with LVHN,” TJ Garritano, Jim Thorpe Area School District board member, said. “It’s big for our community to have world class care compared to what we currently have in our area and surrounding area. We typically have to travel to the Allentown or Bethlehem area to receive top quality care and that will now be right in our backyard.”

Keith Heckman, director of operations for the Lehighton Ambulance Association, spoke of the advantages to having the new hospital close.

“It allows us to keep our patients closer to home and we’re very excited for that,” Heckman said.

Terry Purcell will serve as president of the new hospital. Purcell joined LVHN in September 2018 after previously serving as president with St. Luke’s University Health Network and at the former Blue Mountain Health System for 12 years where his last role was senior vice president of operations.

“After spending more than 25 years working in Carbon County, this hospital is incredibly important to me,” Purcell said. “I am truly excited about the level of care we are going to be able to provide because of this new hospital.”

Nester said he has “no doubt” the hospital will be in good hands under Purcell’s leadership.

The nearly 7-minute video announcing the groundbreaking is available to view on LVHN’s Facebook page. Updates will be available on LVHN’s Facebook page.