Updated December 7, 2018

The new 250 million dollar, five story North Alabama Medical Center opened its doors Thursday.  Media sources report 140 patients were transported starting at 6 am Thursday morning to the new hospital, which replaces Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital downtown.

Around 7 a.m. the first emergency room patient was seen at the facility, located on Veterans Drive and Helton Drive. The new facility will house 263 beds and will be a primary stroke center and certified chest pain center.