Surprise's first hospital will create jobs, could attract other medical resources to the city

Surprise’s first hospital is nearly ready to open, and it could lay the groundwork for growth in the city's medical sector.  

The 32,500-square-foot Abrazo Surprise Hospital was built at Bell Road and Loop 303. 

Construction on the building is “essentially complete,” but the hospital must complete final inspections and licensure before it announces an opening date, said Keith Jones, Abrazo Health communications manager.

"Our plan all along has been to make the Loop 303 corridor a medical development area," Mayor Skip Hall said, "so I believe there will be other medical development along the 303 in the future. There's a couple of big things we're working on right now." 

Hospital officials expect the facility to create about 50 full-time jobs. Positions are posted at abrazohealth.com/careers.  

'We need everything'

Surprise Economic Development Director Jeanine Jerkovic predicts that the hospital's opening will attract other medical facilities to the area that could employ more of the city's health care workers. 

"We want to make sure that our health care talent has places to work a little closer to home," she said. 

The city's first hospital comes as the northwest Valley suburb of some 135,000 residents continues to expand with new homes and businesses. 

"Surprise is growing so quickly, and we need everything," Jerkovic said. "In the last few years, we've been seeing that (the medical sector) is behaving more like a retailer, where when one retailer finds a good corner, you may see similar industries pick that area."

Jerkovic said Abrazo's move to the 303 corridor is a good economic signal. The hospital is a positive addition to an area that has long needed a medical facility, and will prove to other providers that medical services can be supported within the region, she said. 

A micro hospital

The single-story hospital will offer emergency and surgical services and include a 13-bed emergency department, an operating room and eight inpatient rooms. 

The Surprise hospital is affiliated with Abrazo Health’s other facilities, including the Abrazo Arrowhead Campus and other emergency and urgent care centers.

Administrative Director Chrissy Salazar said the facility will offer “access to medical care beyond what’s available at an urgent care or freestanding emergency center.” 

The emergency room and surgical suite will be available 24/7, she said. 

The mayor said the location on heavily traveled Bell Road will make it especially accessible to western Surprise residents, who have had to travel to hospitals just east or south of the city.  

"It's going to add convenience and efficiency for medical care, especially for west Surprise residents," Hall said. "Even if this is what they call a 'micro hospital,' our residents will be well-served." 

Have a story about Surprise or the southwest Valley? Reach the reporter at kelly.donohue@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on Twitter @kellydonohue15.