Our Need

The Miriam’s current reality is simple and must be addressed:
Our patients are waiting far too long to receive the care they need and deserve.

The Impact of Unprecedented Demand

The Miriam’s emergency department has always been busy. What started as a small community hospital nearly 100 years ago has seen patient volume increase steadily over the passing decades as populations and The Miriam’s reputation for excellence have grown. Coupled with a tight footprint amid a densely built neighborhood setting, the hospital has struggled for years to accommodate increased patient census and growing medical service lines within the narrow constricts of its campus on Summit Avenue.

The Miriam’s current reality is simple and must be addressed: Our patients are waiting far too long to receive the care they need and deserve.

Bar chart showing the number of emergency department patients from 2015 to 2024, with a notable peak in 2019. Text: 'The emergency department saw 70,494 patients in 2024. That's 193 patients who need our care every single day.'

Clock showing 11:00 with text about average waiting time for emergencies

Text stating that 80,000 hours is the average number of hours a person will spend working in their lifetime, emphasizing the importance of choosing a satisfying career.

Of The Miriam’s 247 inpatient beds, just 99 are located in single-occupancy rooms—making the majority of the hospital’s space unusable for patients whose conditions require private settings.

In 2023, more than 5,100 patients—roughly 7 percent of the individuals who accessed the ED—left The Miriam without receiving the care they needed.