Thirteen people at ribbon cutting event standing behind yellow ribbon

Sharp Coronado Hospital opens Sherrie and Ron Auen ICU


Coronado Hospital Foundation donors and hospital leadership celebrate the milestone opening of the Sherrie and Ron Auen Intensive Care Unit.

Sharp Coronado Hospital Envisions the Future of Health Care in Coronado

When the doors of Sharp Coronado Hospital opened in 1938, its founders wanted to bring a community asset to the residents of Coronado to provide quality health care, close to home. Over the last eight decades, the hospital has received national and global accolades: from recognition as a center of excellence in orthopedics to being one of only two hospitals in the world to maintain patient-centered Planetree Designation since 2007.

As the only health care provider in Coronado, Sharp Coronado is proud to be a trusted asset to the  community, dedicated to the health and well-being of the residents and visitors of Coronado – today and for generations to come.

The entire team of dedicated staff and caregivers take immense pride in being a lifeline for the residents and visitors of Coronado, providing emergency and acute care, skilled nursing services, outpatient orthopedic and robotic surgery, women’s imaging and more.

As the most vital service provided to the community, Sharp Coronado Hospital’s Emergency Department is now the destination of choice for more than 70% of Coronado residents. More than three-quarters of hospital admissions are first seen in the Emergency Department.

To meet the growing need of island residents, guests, and nearby communities, Sharp Coronado plans to nearly double the size of the Emergency Department. By raising its capacity from eight beds to 15 private treatment rooms, the expansion will increase privacy, reduce wait times, and provide a more person-centered experience for patients and their loved ones in their greatest time of need.

"Our community’s emergency medical services need has outgrown our current eight bed Emergency Department. This has been especially true during the COVID-19 surges. The expansion to 15 beds will allow us to meet the increasing needs and continue to provide the highest quality of care in the safest environment possible to our community."


Fahd Benjalil

Chief Financial and Operating Officer

Sharp Coronado Hospital

First Milestone Reached: The Sherrie and Ron Auen Intensive Care Unit

On June 17, Sharp Coronado Hospital celebrated gaining occupancy for its state-of-the-art Sherrie and Ron Auen Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Less than a week later, the first patient was moved into the ICU.

Relocated to the hospital’s fourth floor, the modernized ICU — which has peaceful, picturesque views of the Coronado Bridge and neighboring community —  will include seven state-of-the-art private rooms, with ample space for life-saving technology and room for loved ones to visit. The fourth floor will also feature 10 acute care patient rooms and two dedicated family lounges for care partners in need of respite and reflection.

Sherrie Auen and daughter in front of ICU

Sherrie Auen (left) and daughter Catharine Reed (right) celebrate the grand opening of the ICU named in their family's honor

A Comprehensive Campus Modernization

In addition to expanding critical areas within the hospital, Sharp Coronado is also passionate about creating a seamless experience throughout the entire campus to both enhance aesthetics and improve functionality. The hospital will upgrade the Emergency Department entrance, driveway aisle and parking. Seismic retrofitting will enable the hospital to continue serving the community for decades.

“We are honored to continue the legacy of support made possible by Lee and Phyllis Mather, who named the Emergency Department in 2005, through the Campaign for Emergency and Intensive Care,” said Nora Allen, Chief Development Officer, Coronado Hospital Foundation. “Emergency care remains the most valued service at Sharp Coronado. We are grateful to the Coronado community for their continued philanthropic investment in our community hospital.”

Coronado Hospital Foundation is committed to raising $18 million to support the $43.9 million expansion and modernization of Sharp Coronado Hospital. Together with philanthropic partners, Sharp Coronado Hospital will continue to provide the most advanced medical care to the surrounding community.

To learn more about how you can support emergency and intensive care at Sharp Coronado Hospital, contact Nora Allen.

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