Trinity Health Oakland Makes Major Progress on New Emergency Department
March 31, 2026
Trinity Health Oakland has made significant progress in the construction of its new Emergency Department (ED). In this Q&A, Rahul Mehta, M.D., Chair of Emergency Medicine at Trinity Health Oakland, discusses what has been completed, what is still being worked on, and how it all enhances the quality of care he and his medical team provide the community.
Q: How is construction progressing, and what has the overall reaction been?
Dr. Mehta: We have made significant progress, and the new ED is coming along in stages. The feedback so far has been universally positive from patients, family members, medical staff and everyone else involved. Some of the positive feedback has centered around how the completed spaces are more open and quiet. This has created a more nurturing, healing environment for our patients.
And just so there’s no confusion, our ED will continue to be fully operational 24/7 throughout this entire project.
Q: The project is expected to be done by the end of 2027, but are there any benefits patients will be able to see sooner than that?
Dr. Mehta: We recently introduced our new and expanded trauma bays. The impact is significant; the location of these rooms is directly next to the Radiology Department, which will cut transportation times in half for patients in need of imaging. Time is valuable, especially for stroke patients, as millions of neurons are lost each minute during a stroke. Every second saved can make a major difference.
Now that these trauma bays have been completed, patients with more complex conditions have a space large enough for multiple providers to work together in the most efficient manner.
Q: Are there other benefits with these new trauma rooms?
Dr. Mehta: The rooms are bigger overall and will also allow us to treat multiple patients simultaneously. In the past, we were restricted by space and could only care for a couple patients comfortably. This new space will allow us to accommodate up to five patients at a time. That in and of itself is a significant upgrade in our ability to care for the acutely injured or critically ill.
Additionally, these rooms include structural improvements. Colleagues can more easily access and view monitors, and there’s more space for our medical teams to attach and position equipment quickly. Having a larger, more organized area to work in makes a meaningful difference when our teams need to move quickly and efficiently. Ultimately, that difference is seen in the health outcomes of our patients.
Finally, proximity matters when it comes to emergencies. In the new ED, the medication room and ED pharmacy are located right next to the trauma rooms. Consultants, specialists, medications and equipment are all much closer to the patients than ever before, resulting in faster, better coordinated care.
Q: What else can patients look forward to once the project is complete?
Dr. Mehta: The ED will be double the size it once was, going from approximately 19,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet. Patient rooms will be bigger, which makes the experience better for patients and physicians alike. We will also have a dedicated behavioral health unit, a dedicated area for pediatric care, and a new ambulance entrance that will help streamline the process for EMS vehicles to drop off patients. Finally, we will have an improved lobby area that will improve the overall patient experience and result in a smoother triage process.
Q: Is there anything else you want people to know?
Dr. Mehta: I just want to reiterate to the community that we are here for them 24/7 even with this ongoing project. Trinity Health is fully committed to caring for this community in our ED. Families can sleep soundly knowing that should they need it, they can receive the very best critical care close to home, right here on Woodward Avenue.