Dignity Memorial Bakersfield
Pediatric Surgical Suites

In early 2026, Dignity's dedicated Pediatric Surgical Suites added an additional 5,000 square feet to the current Lauren Small Children’s Center (LSCC) at Memorial Hospital. This is a vertical expansion, building a second floor over an existing and operationl emergency department.

The Pediatric Surgical Suites Project also includes:
A pediatric pre-op surgery and post anesthesia (recovery) unit.

Dedicated surgical support spaces including pediatric nurse’s station, equipment storage, clean and soiled storage, environmental services, scrub, sub sterile, general circulation areas and dedicated reception and waiting areas.

Staff expansion includes two resident pediatric surgeons and additional medical and administrative support staff. The space allocated for the pediatric expansion is located directly above the current emergency department.

Since there are currently no other dedicated pediatric surgical beds this will be a tremendous opportunity to enhance medical care and capabilities available to our county’s pediatric population.

The cost of the project was nearly $22 million. This includes the funding of the build-out onto the existing emergency department and new equipment, furnishings technology to support the use of the new suites.

The pediatric expansion project will allow Memorial’s surgical teams to be specially trained to meet the unique needs of pediatric patients in Bakersfield and surrounding community. Families can expect the highest quality, state-of-the-art service in a compassionate, child-friendly setting.