CINCINNATI, Ohio — Cincinnati Children’s is set to significantly expand its Liberty Campus, aiming to improve access to high-quality care for children and families in Butler County and surrounding areas. The expansion project includes more than doubling the number of inpatient hospital beds and adding surgical operating rooms.
The plan also involves constructing a large medical office building adjacent to the hospital, which will house numerous outpatient specialty clinics. Steve Davis, MD, president and CEO of Cincinnati Children’s, emphasized the goal of bringing more services closer to home for local families. He stated, “New construction as well as the renovation of existing parts of the hospital will feature advanced technology combined with the personal touches suggested by patient families, the community, our medical providers, and staff.”
Site preparation is slated to begin in March 2025, with construction on the four-story medical office building starting in the summer. This building is expected to be completed by 2027 and will allow existing clinical services at the Liberty Campus to relocate, freeing up hospital space.
The hospital will see a four-story addition, including four new operating rooms, three surgical procedure rooms, 10 additional rooms for the Emergency Department, and 72 more inpatient beds. This expansion will bring the total number of inpatient beds to 114 upon completion in summer 2028.
Renovation of over 100,000 square feet of the existing hospital space will enhance patient flow, add eight new imaging rooms, and expand the pharmacy, lab, and Sterile Processing Department. The project also includes new administrative and education spaces, an outdoor dining area, a new lobby, and a patient drop-off spot. These renovations are expected to be completed by summer 2029.
Cincinnati Children’s Liberty Campus, which opened in 2008, has rapidly grown, initially offering 12 beds and pediatric emergency services. Subsequent expansions have added an inpatient unit, urgent care, and a Proton Therapy Center. The Liberty Campus now handles over 282,000 patient encounters a year.
Evaline Alessandrini, MD, chief operating officer, highlighted the increased demand and the benefits of the expansion, stating, “As more and more families who live near the Liberty Campus or in surrounding areas rely on our teams, we are investing in the resources needed to continue to provide access to the best outcomes by the best people.”
The expansion is expected to create at least 250 new jobs over the next five years. Cincinnati Children’s currently employs over 1,025 people at the Liberty Campus, with a total workforce of 19,500. The estimated investment for this expansion is $365 million, covering design, construction, and medical equipment costs.
