The Olin E. Teague Veterans' Medical Center will open the doors of its new emergency department on Wednesday morning.
Construction began on the 13,000 sq. ft. facility back in 2014.
"It's very modern looking and I think our veterans will be very pleased coming in here for care," Nurse manager Rashida Danquah said.
Danquah has worked for the Temple VA for over 24 years.
"I'm always proud to work at the VA," Danquah said. "And I'm always proud to serve veterans but this is monumentous that I'm part of this."
She said the new building was a much needed change because they were quickly out growing the old one which was a third of the size.
The new emergency department has 20 exam rooms including two isolation rooms, two life support rooms and an in-suite decontamination room.
The old space will be renovated and used to add two more Patient Aligned Care Teams, which will help increase access to primary care.
The department has 35 nurses, but Danquah hopes to welcome more in the future.
"I personally can't wait to see the look on the veteran's faces when they walk walk into this building," Danquah said.
Crews begin moving equipment into the new building at midnight on Wednesday. During that time emergencies will be transferred to Scott and White but doors will open to veterans by 8 a.m.
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