JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Dr. Mark Tuccio is chairman of the surgery department at UPMC Chautauqua where he provided a rare look inside the surgical unit of the U-shaped wing of the hospital. Several pieces of medical equipment line every inch of the crowded hallways.

"One of the biggest needs is storage. It's a huge problem — huge problem," said Tuccio.

What You Need To Know

  • New York is investing $680 million in health care

  • Funding is set to be distributed between 127 projects

  • UPMC Chautauqua is one of the top five funded for a new surgical unit

To help solve it, the state recently awarded UPMC Chautauqua a grant of more than $28 million, one of the largest amounts given, as 127 other medical facilities across New York also received funding.

Tuccio took provided a look inside an operating room.

"Now you see why everything's in the hallway. This is the only space in the room," Tuccio said.

The funding is slated to fully renovate and expand all six operating rooms, which includes replacing old lighting above the table. Plans also call for four new procedure rooms; expansion of pre- and post-op areas and more space to house medical supplies; and a larger place to wash, sterilize and re-package surgical instruments.

"It helps for us to get what we need, to do the work we need to do, and for that, I think everyone in the department is grateful," said Mark.

"It's huge, we're really thankful — certainly a big deal," said Cecil Miller, VP of operations at UPMC Chautauqua.

One of the biggest, actually, since UPMC became affiliated with the hospital in December 2016, committing to add millions of dollars in improvements. To date, the state has invested more than $55 million in staff, technology, facilities and infrastructure to improve patient care.

And for Tuccio, it'll also help create a better environment.

"For the surgeon to do his job, the staff to do their job, and get patients in, taken care of and have good results. And that's what we strive for here," Tuccio said.

The work is expected to be completed in two to three years. Other improvements since the affiliation include 17 new ambulance and transport vehicles, a new surgical robot and new pharmacy upgrades.

A full list of the funded projects across the state can be found here.