By J.J. McQueen,
Special to the AFRO

Grace Medical Center, formerly Bon Secours Hospital, hosted its renovation celebration and demolition ceremony, which marked the transition phase of renovations for the West Baltimore medical facility. 

In attendance to help celebrate the event was, Daniel Blum, President, Sinai Hospital and Grace Medical Center, Pastor Rodney Morton, Maryland State Senator Antonio Hayes, Rebecca Altman, Vice President and Chief Integration Officer, LifeBridge Health, Neil Meltzer, President and CEO, LifeBridge Health, and Sister Mary Shimo, C.B.S., Assistant Leader, USA, Sisters of Bon Secours. 

Lft Maryland Senator Antonio Hayes and Rebecca Altman, Vice President and Chief Intergration Officer, LifeBridge Health, ceremonial demolition. (Photos/J.J. McQueen)

After securing the location in November of 2019, LifeBridge restored Grace Medical Center by making upgrades to its operating rooms, creating a new state-of-the-art emergency department, specialty care clinics, and more. 

By investing in this key section of the existing facility, the door was opened to start the second phase of demolition on the original Bon Secours Hospital site. With the project slated to see completion by the end of 2023, the new two-story outpatient behavioral health facility and green space will be important to the West Baltimore community. 

Left Sister Mary Shimo, Sister of Bon Secours and Neil Meltzer, President and CEO, LifeBridge Health revealing a special plaque to the Sisters of Bon Secours. (Photos/J.J. McQueen)

“LifeBridge is coming in and completing what we couldn’t. This community deserves the best. –Sister Mary Shimo

Echoing her [Sister Mary Shimo] thoughts was Baltimore native, and Maryland Senator Antonio Hayes. 

“I was reluctant at first when LifeBridge signed onto this project, but what I’ve seen since that time is that they haven’t missed a beat. That makes me happy because communities like these deserve the best.” –Senator Antonio Hayes

Original Bon Secours Hospital Entrance. (Photos/J.J. McQueen)

With an estimated investment of $85 million, the projected is also slated to address the needs of pediatric care, gynecology, and ophthalmology. These are all critical care areas that have very few resources allocated in communities like those of West Baltimore. 

“I am an old public health guy, projects like this make me feel great when they come together. This community deserves so much more than it had.” –Meil Meltzer, President and CEO of LifeBridge Health 

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