Starr Regional Medical Center Breaks Ground for ICU Expansion

Starr Regional Medical Center (SRMC) announced today the $12 million expansion of its intensive care unit (ICU) to improve access to critical care services within McMinn County. Construction is estimated to be completed in early 2026.

“This is truly an exciting time for Starr Regional Medical Center, the community and the entire region we serve. The project increases our capacity for intensive care patients as well as medical surgical patients,” said John McLain, Starr Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. “Our mission is making communities healthier, and it guides everything we do. Enhancing our critical care services and investing in new technology and capabilities to better serve our family, friends and neighbors demonstrates our commitment to this mission. We will keep the community informed of the project’s progress, and we appreciate your patience during the construction process.”

Starr Regional Medical Center is honored to have been selected as a grant recipient by the Tennessee Department of Health’s Healthcare Resiliency Program, a competitive grant program designed to expand Tennessee’s capacity in delivering quality healthcare services, as well as modernize and transform healthcare in rural communities across the state. Starr Regional Medical Center was awarded a $6.4 million grant for the ICU expansion project and Tele-ICU advancement.

Once construction is complete, the ICU will occupy the newly constructed space, and the number of ICU rooms will be increased from five to 10 rooms. The unit will feature private rooms, a modernized design and upgraded technology that supports enhanced patient care for the most vulnerable and critical patients, so they can receive the care they need closer to home. The project also will create a new waiting area for families and two additional beds for the medical surgical unit.

Starr Regional Medical Center hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on January 29, 2025, to celebrate the beginning of the project. The progress of the ICU expansion project will be shared with community members via the hospital’s website and social media channels. Click here for additional information about Starr Regional Medical Center and the services provided.

Pictured above, from left to right, front row: Melissa Chiles, MD, Starr Regional Medical Center Chief of Staff; Nicole Thompson, RN, Director of Medical Surgical Unit & ICU; The Rev. Dr. Vant Hardaway, Starr Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees Chair; John McLain, Starr Regional Medical Center CEO; Deborah Vaughn, MSN, Starr Regional Medical Center CNO; Larry Eaton, City of Athens Mayor; John Gentry, McMinn County Mayor; David Alley, Starr Regional Medical Center CFO; second row: Dick Pelley, City of Athens Council Member; Lindsey Ferguson, McMinn County Economic Development Authority Executive Director; Jordan Curtis, City of Athens Vice Mayor; Courtney Davis, RN, Assistant Director of Medical Surgical Unit & ICU; Rob Preston, Athens Area Chamber of Commerce CEO/President; and John Duggan, City of Athens Council Member.