Stamford Health Unveils Plan for Bennett Medical Center Campus Transformation to Advance Patient Care and Community Health

STAMFORD, CT / Monday, June 8, 2026 – Stamford Health announced today a comprehensive new plan to transform its Bennett Medical Center Campus, where Stamford Hospital is located. This marks the next phase in its long-term vision to be the most trusted healthcare partner for the communities it serves, by modernizing infrastructure and expanding critical services. The plan reinforces Stamford Health’s commitment to increasing access to high-quality, person-centered care and meeting the evolving health needs of the region.

“We are Connecticut’s most highly awarded hospital, and the #1 Hospital in Fairfield County according to U.S. News & World Report,” remarked Kathleen Silard, President & Chief Executive Officer. “As an independent health system, we are proud to continue growing and investing in our facilities and staff. That, coupled with our outstanding quality and patient experience recognitions, sets us apart from any other health system in Connecticut. We are incredibly grateful to our donors and the state, who recognize the quality of care we provide by supporting our work.”

Stamford Health is deeply committed to providing high-quality health and wellness services focused on the needs of the community, demonstrated by significant investments in the opening of a new hospital tower in 2016 and the complete renovation of the Whittingham Pavilion which houses services for women and children. This new multi-year plan focuses on four key initiatives: constructing a new Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center, transforming the current Bennett Cancer Center into a dedicated Behavioral Health facility, relocating and expanding the Van Munching Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, and improving parking for patients, staff and visitors throughout the campus. The total estimated project cost is $275 million.

“This plan represents a transformational step for Stamford Health and the patients and families we serve,” said Liz Longmore, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Stamford Health. “It reflects our commitment to delivering world-class care across oncology, behavioral health, and rehabilitation, while creating modern, state-of-the-art spaces that ensure our patients continue to receive the highest-quality care, close to home.”

Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center

Cancer diagnoses are rising, particularly among younger patients, according to the American Cancer Society. At the same time, treatments are becoming increasingly effective, transforming many cancers into manageable chronic conditions. To ensure its facilities evolve alongside the excellence of its clinical care, which is delivered as a collaborative partner with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Stamford Health will build a new 73,000-square-foot, free-standing Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center on the southwest corner of the campus. The center will expand patient capacity, elevate the care experience, attract clinicians, offer advanced treatment protocols, and provide holistic therapies and long-term wellness support.

Behavioral Health Facility

Behavioral health remains the community’s most pressing unmet need, consistently ranking #1 in Stamford Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment, as rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use continue to rise. To address this critical issue, Stamford Health will transform and expand the existing Bennett Cancer Center into a two-floor Behavioral Health facility, increasing capacity and introducing a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) along with outpatient interventional psychiatric services. The new center will provide seamless, compassionate care across all levels of behavioral health in a healing, stigma-free environment, further solidifying Stamford Health as a leader in behavioral health innovation and care. Preceding this new plan, Stamford Health expanded inpatient behavioral health capacity and opened an outpatient behavioral health practice, serving adults and offering special programs for geriatric, prenatal & postpartum and oncology patients, with pediatric services coming soon. These initiatives, and additional investments in behavioral health services including a soon-to-come pediatric crisis program, have been supported by philanthropy and a $750,000 grant from the federal government.

Van Munching Inpatient Rehabilitation Relocation

Providing comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation dedicated to helping patients recover from illness or injury with medical oversight and personalized therapy plans, the current Van Munching inpatient rehabilitation unit resides in the oldest building on the Bennett Medical Center Campus. The upgraded unit will be relocated to the fourth floor of Stamford Hospital and feature 20 private rooms, specialized spaces for brain injury care, advanced physical therapy and rehabilitation equipment, and enhanced recreational areas. It will provide seamless, in-house care for Stamford Health’s growing neurosciences programs including complex neurosurgical and spinal patients, strengthen collaboration between surgical and rehabilitation teams to improve outcomes, and expand access to rehabilitative expertise, offering patients both top-tier quality and convenient care.

Parking Facilities

To support the campus expansion and increased patient access, Stamford Health will offer new, permanent and improved parking solutions for patients, staff and visitors.

Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with phased openings of the new facilities over the next several years. The Stamford Hospital Foundation will be conducting a major philanthropic campaign to fund a significant portion of the project. For more information about Stamford Health’s programs and services, please visit StamfordHealth.org.

ABOUT STAMFORD HEALTH

Stamford Health is a non-profit independent health care system with more than 4,100 employees committed to caring for the community through a wide range of high-quality health and wellness services. Patients and their families receive expert, compassionate care through the system’s 305-bed Stamford Hospital; Stamford Health Medical Group, with more than 40 offices in lower Fairfield County offering primary and specialty care; a growing number of ambulatory locations across the region; and support through the Stamford Hospital Foundation.

Stamford Health is known for its expert, person-centered care through its many recognitions and partnerships. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Stamford Hospital as the #1 Hospital in Fairfield County. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has granted Stamford Hospital Magnet Status, which recognizes superior patient care with the highest level of safety, quality, and patient satisfaction. Stamford Health is Planetree Gold-Certified for Excellence in Person-Centered Care and is a Certified™ Great Place to Work.

Stamford Health is a major teaching affiliate of the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and offers treatment and expertise from Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s nationally recognized heart and neurosurgeons. Stamford Health and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) have created a premier center for specialty orthopedic care right in Stamford, Connecticut. Stamford Health’s Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center has a robust collaboration with Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center.

Dedicated to being the community’s most trusted health care partner, Stamford Health puts patients first to build long-lasting relationships. For more information, visit StamfordHealth.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X.

PRESS CONTACT

Andie Jodko, Communications Director
Stamford Health
[email protected]