Holy Cross Hospital officials announced plans Monday to build a 93-bed hospital in Germantown.
The facility would be located on Montgomery College’s Germantown campus. Holy Cross and college leaders said they hoped to collaborate on continuing education programs and sharing clinical and educational space such as laboratories and classrooms. Nursing students from the school might be able to complete practical training hours at the new facility as well.
Hercules Pinkney, Montgomery College’s vice president and Germantown campus provost, said he had high hopes for the partnership.
“A hospital is a very stable tenant,” Pinkney told The Examiner. “They don’t locate somewhere for five to 10 years — when they invest, they plan to be around for a while, and the college does too.”
Germantown and upper Montgomery County have played host to much of Montgomery County’s rapid growth in recent years, and Holy Cross officials report 28 percent of patients at their Silver Spring hospital come from the northern and western parts of the county.
“Our plan makes a major contribution toward that goal by improving primary care access and expanding hospital capacity to serve the needs of our growing and aging population,” Holy Cross Chief Executive Officer and President Kevin Sexton said in a written statement.
Holy Cross’ Silver Spring hospital had a 13 percent increase in demand for emergency care patients last year, officials said.
Adventist Healthcare operates a 24-hour emergency center nearby, setting the stage for perhaps another face-off between the two organizations.
Washington Adventist Hospital received preliminary approval this spring from Montgomery’s planning board to relocate six miles away from its Takoma Park site to a Silver Spring neighborhood near the border with Prince George’s County. Holy Cross officials said they were worried they would not be able to handle the additional patient load if Washington Adventist moves.
Tom Grant, associate vice president of communications for Adventist Healthcare, said he had not yet reviewed Holy Cross’ plans for a Germantown facility.
