U-M Health approves $28M expansion of Ionia hospital

Published: Monday, November 24, 2025 at 4:02 pm

U-M Health to Expand Ionia Hospital with $28 Million Ambulatory Center

IONIA COUNTY, MI – University of Michigan Health is set to expand its network hospital in Ionia with a $28 million ambulatory center. The University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the project during its November 20 meeting. The new facility will span 31,000 square feet and will be built adjacent to the existing hospital.

The ambulatory center aims to enhance patient access to healthcare services in the community. It will offer a range of services, including primary care, imaging, oncology, orthopedics, and cardiology. According to Dr. David Miller, University of Michigan executive vice president of medical affairs and Michigan Medicine CEO, the expansion reflects the health system's dedication to providing high-quality care within the communities it serves.

Funding for the project will be sourced from U-M Health-Sparrow resources. The design and construction phase is anticipated to take approximately 30 months. The decision to expand comes in response to significant growth in both inpatient and outpatient services at Sparrow Ionia since its construction in 2015. The expansion will provide additional space for specialty clinics, primary care physicians, and other clinical services.

Connie OMalley, chief operating officer of the U-M Health Regional Network, stated that the expansion represents an investment in the healthcare of the local population. The new facility is expected to provide increased access to healthcare providers and treatment options. This project follows the U-M Board of Regents' approval of the $800 million purchase of the Sparrow Health System in December 2022, which integrated all Sparrow hospitals under the U-M Health System brand in April 2023.

BNN's Perspective: This expansion is a positive development for the community, promising improved healthcare access. While the investment is substantial, the long-term benefits of providing comprehensive services closer to home are likely to outweigh the costs. The integration of Sparrow Health System into the U-M Health network appears to be yielding positive results, and this expansion is a further step in that direction.

Keywords: U-M Health, Ionia hospital, expansion, ambulatory center, healthcare, primary care, oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, patient access, Sparrow Health System, Board of Regents, Michigan Medicine.

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