New space designed to expand access to care.
MADISON, Wis. – UW Health will open a major expansion at East Madison Hospital on Nov. 2, increasing surgical and inpatient capacity while improving access to care for patients across Dane County and throughout Wisconsin.
The $140 million project adds 120,000 square feet to the hospital, expanding its footprint to roughly 620,000 square feet. The project increases the number of operating rooms from 14 to 20, increases the surgical prep and recovery bay capacity from 23 to 60 and expands inpatient bed capacity from 84 to 98 to help meet growing demand for hospital services. UW Health has hired approximately 250 new employees to staff the space, in addition to existing staff.
Since opening in 2015, East Madison Hospital has experienced significant growth. Surgical volumes have increased from approximately 6,000 procedures in 2015 to about 14,000 in 2025. Inpatient admissions have also doubled, rising from roughly 2,200 to 4,400 admissions per year, according to Ryann DeGraff, vice president and regional chief operating officer, East Madison Hospital, UW Health.
The additional space will help meet growing demand, allowing East Madison Hospital to perform approximately 30% more surgeries and accommodate about 6% more inpatient admissions. The investment is a direct response to growing demand for care driven by population growth, an aging population and increasing numbers of patients seeking specialized care, he said.
“Every decision we make begins with our patients,” DeGraff said. “This expansion is about creating better access to care and ensuring patients can receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We hope patients feel the thoughtfulness and commitment behind this project when they walk through our doors because every aspect of this expansion was designed with their needs in mind.”
Several specialized surgical services will also be available at East Madison Hospital as part of the expansion, including gynecology, gynecologic oncology, ophthalmology and urology. By increasing capacity and relocating these surgical services from other UW Health locations, the system expects to improve access and reduce wait times for patients seeking specialty care.
The new patient rooms are also equipped with new video technology that supports remote nursing observation, video communication with care team members and secure virtual visits with family and friends.
While Dane County’s rapid population growth continues to drive demand for care, the impact of this expansion extends well beyond Madison, benefiting patients across Wisconsin and beyond, according to DeGraff.
“The need for specialized care continues to grow across the region,” he said. “Many patients travel to Madison for care that isn’t available in their local communities, and this expansion helps us meet that increased demand and improve access for patients across Wisconsin.”
The East Madison Hospital project is part of a broader expansion effort across UW Health. At University Hospital, a new six-story addition will expand emergency and inpatient capacity when it opens in early December. American Family Children’s Hospital is also building out its sixth floor, adding space for pediatric specialty and critical care services, including a cardiac intensive care unit, ahead of a January 2027 opening.