Memorial Health System and Akron Children’s are partnering to open the new Pediatric Emergency Department in Belpre on Tuesday. (Photo Provided)

MARIETTA — Memorial Health System has announced the upcoming opening of its new Pediatric Emergency Department in partnership with Akron Children’s.

Opening on Tuesday and located next to Memorial Health System’s Belpre Emergency Department, the Pediatric ED will operate seven days a week and is fully equipped to provide the expert-level emergency care that one expects from both MHS and Akron Children’s, officials said.

“This pediatric emergency department builds on Akron Children’s commitment to bringing care closer to home for infants, children, and teens in southeast Ohio,” said Chris Gessner, President and CEO of Akron Children’s. “We’re thrilled to expand this partnership with Memorial Health System to add pediatric emergency care to our growing number of services in Marietta and Belpre.”

As the region’s only pediatric emergency department, Memorial Health System and Akron Children’s Pediatric Emergency Department will allow pediatric patients and their loved ones to stay close to home for care. In addition to providing pediatric emergency care, Akron Children’s provides cardiology, nephrology, gastroenterology, surgical, and pediatric primary care to the region.

“Our community and surrounding areas rely on our services,” said Lori Williams, Director of Emergency Services at Memorial Health System. “Pediatric services have not been prominent here, which is why this partnership with Akron Children’s is going to be a game changer for the pediatric population. The children and families of our community will no longer have to travel several hours away for this specialty emergency care.”

Memorial Health System and Akron Children’s are partnering to open the new Pediatric Emergency Department in Belpre on Tuesday. (Photo Provided)

This emergency department will be Memorial Health System’s fifth, but what sets it apart is the dedicated and specialized care geared towards the community’s youngest members, officials said.

“Kids are not just miniature adults. They have unique health care needs and our pediatric emergency staff specializes in caring for kids who need anything from wound care to the treatment of traumatic injuries, respiratory illness, or fever,” said Brett Luxmore, DO, Pediatric Medical Director for the new ED. “We’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with Memorial Health System’s team to provide world-class, kid-focused care.”

To learn more about the Pediatric Emergency Department, as well as Memorial Health System’s upcoming Women & Children’s Hospital, go to mhsystem.org/Reveal.