Elmhurst Hospital Opens 16-Bed Observation Unit As Part Of Centennial Expansion

The unit is the first completed project in a broader Elmhurst campus expansion.

By Illinois Patch, Patch Staff

Jul 24, 2026 2:57 PM CDT | Updated Jul 24, 2026 3:00 PM CDT

Elmhurst Hospital's new unit is part of its effort to provide safe, seamless and personal care while expanding healthcare access for area residents. (Courtesy of Leopardo Construction)

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst Hospital has opened a new 16-bed patient observation unit, marking the first completed project in a larger campus expansion during the hospital's centennial year.

The hospital, which is owned by Endeavor Health, said the new unit is part of its effort to provide safe, seamless and personal care while expanding healthcare access for area residents.

The unit is off the hospital's east lobby as an extension of the existing surgical observation unit, according to a hospital news release.

The hospital said the new space is designed to improve the patient experience while also supporting its emergency room, which it described as among the busiest in the Endeavor Health system.

"For 100 years, this hospital has been a pillar of the community, and we are committed to evolving to meet its needs for the next century," said Dr. Kim Darey, the hospital's president.

The hospital said the observation unit will give clinical teams a dedicated space for patients who need additional monitoring. It also said the added capacity is intended to help patients move more smoothly from the emergency room when observation care is needed.

"This new unit provides a dedicated, specialized space for our clinical teams to care for patients who may require just a little more monitoring. It will also help patients transition more smoothly from the emergency room when it's time, ensuring our neighbors and loved ones are cared for promptly and comfortably," Darey said.

The observation unit is the first phase of a broader campus expansion planned at Elmhurst Hospital. Projects include a two-story addition above the Nancy Knowles Cancer Center and a new medical office building.

The Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Foundation is asking the community to support the work through its Centennial Campaign. The campaign is intended to help fund the campus expansion, advanced technology and professional development as the hospital continues its larger buildout.