RAPID CITY, S.D. – Monument Health launched a major construction project designed to provide more convenient and comfortable care in their NICU and labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum services.

On Thursday, Monument Health broke ground on a 63,000 square foot, $48 million, Children’s Hospital Expansion at Monument Health, marking the beginning of the multi-year project on the north side of the hospital facing Fairmont Boulevard.

Paulette Davidson, President and CEO, Monument Health, said as the region continues to grow, Monument Health is striving to help families needing services.

“For us to continue to make the investment in our children and families here in Rapid City can help alleviate much of that burden for families,” Davidson said. “So, this is Monument Health’s way of continuing to invest in our communities for all the right reasons.”

The project will include 19 labor, deliver, recovery and postpartum rooms in a concept known as the LDRP model. The LDRP model will allow patients to remain in one room throughout the birthing process rather than being shuttled between units.

“The model of care will be something different that our teams are going to work on together,” Stephanie Battell, Director of Nursing for Women’s and Children Service Line said. “A lot of hospitals have adopted the LDRP concept, but I would like our team to come up with what makes sense for us.”

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will evolve from an open bay concept to 25 private and semi-private rooms.

The new children’s hospital expansion will jut out from the main building and be built in what is now parking lot space on the northwest area of the main hospital – directly in front of the area that houses the current services. Once construction is complete and services move into the new hospital building, Monument Health will use the current space to add pediatric services.

“This is something that the community really needs,” Battell said. “If you’ve been through our NICU, it’s an open bay concept so moving into private rooms will be something that’s exceptionally well for the parents and the families as well as the caregiver teams.”

Monument Health Foundation raised $7.1 million for the project since 2022.

“This campaign is all about one thing,” said Ross McKie, VP of Philanthropy, Monument Health Foundation. “It’s about caring for our children and supporting our families.”

The project will get underway in August, and the anticipated completion date is February 2028.

The Children’s addition will be built on the northwest side of the hospital facing Fairmont Boulevard.

The project will get underway in August 2026. Completion date is scheduled for February 2028.

Dr. Kyle Lemley addresses the crowd prior to the official groundbreaking.