Medical West Hospital Authority, an affiliate of University of Alabama at Birmingham UAB Health System, sought financing for a replacement and relocation of their existing hospital from its current Bessemer, Alabama location to rural McCalla, Alabama, in West Jefferson County, at Exit 1 off Interstate 459.

Medical West’s main campus was a 310 licensed bed community hospital located in West Jefferson County that served the citizens of Bessemer and the surrounding communities for over fifty years. As with many healthcare facilities across the nation, the hospital reached the end of its useful life.  A wide range of diagnostic, surgical, medical, and emergency services were offered at the facility.  Services comprised of a 21-bed Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Telemetry Nursing Unit, Geriatric-Psychiatric Unit, Cardiac Cath Lab, Surgical Services, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Advanced Wound Center and Women’s Center. Medical West is a cornerstone institution in its community with more than 1,100 employees, 300 physicians, and nearly 45 services and specialties offered.  The facility, built in 1965, limited the scope of internal infrastructure improvements that could be made to the existing structure. 

Medical West received a USDA Rural Development $360 million Community Facilities Direct Loan to build a state-of-the-art, 200-bed hospital.  The hospital features cutting-edge amenities, including a new surgical and endoscopy suite with robotic surgery capabilities, 12 operating rooms, advanced imaging technology, additional intensive care beds, 26 emergency rooms, eight labor and delivery rooms, and eight multi-purpose rooms. This 412,000-square-foot, nine story facility and adjoining 127,000-square-foot, seven story medical office building provide comprehensive medical services.  It is strategically located to serve rural Jefferson County, rural Tuscaloosa County, and other surrounding rural communities. This project will benefit approximately 333,000 rural people in these communities.

Entering the hospital is quite a different experience.  Medical West created a soothing and serene environment for healing and reflecting.  Each floor of the hospital is themed around Alabama’s native flora.  The grounds include a pond with walking trails, rocking chairs, fireplaces, and patient rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows.  The relaxed ambiance of the hospital fosters a holistic atmosphere of wellness for patients, staff, and visitors.

UAB Medical West CEO Keith Pennington stated, “Over the past year, we have developed plans and strategies alongside Regional Paramedical Services, Bessemer Police Department, McAdory Fire, Jefferson County Sherriff’s Office, Jefferson County Transportation and UAB Critical Care Transport, to ensure our patient move on Saturday, Aug. 3, goes as smoothly as possible.”

This new facility represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of rural Alabamians in Jefferson County and the surrounding communities.   A showcase of the positive impact that federal, state, and local partnerships can achieve.

On Saturday, August 3, 2024, beginning at 6 a.m. the emergency department at the prior location (995 Ninth Ave. SW, Bessemer, AL 35022) permanently closed its doors, and all admitted patients were transported via ambulance to the new location (5000 Medical West Way, Bessemer, AL 35022).