They thought they would be overprotected with two emergency rooms in town, but Mishawaka residents learned that's not the case

As we first told you Thursday night, once the new Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center opens in December, the ER in Downtown Mishawaka will close.

Officials say they originally wanted to keep it open.
Southside residents were surprised to hear the news.

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center still hasn't made a formal announcement. Mayor Jeff Rea says he too hasn't received official word, but we do know that Triumph Our Lady of Peace will be moving into this downtown site. They provide care for long-term patients.

People who live close by says this change will effect a lot of families.

If Barbara Stevens isn't working hard, she's usually worrying about her nine year-old daughter, Ashley.

Since birth, Ashley has had terrible earaches and help has always been right around the corner.

Barbara was shocked to hear that the downtown Mishawaka ER will no longer exist once the new St. Joseph Regional Medical Center opens.

Stevens says, “I get sharp pains. I have a heart murmur. It's bigger than a silver dollars, so that's the one reason I go is because if I have those pains. What about these other people who lost their jobs and how are they going to get to the ER if something happens to their kids. They can't afford a cab.

Stevens says like a lot of her neighbors who live at Parkview Terrace or Princess Apartments, she and her husband don't have a car.

The new St. Joseph Regional Medical Center on Douglas is set to open December 14th. We're told Triumph Our lady of peace hospital will be moving into the downtown site on December 3rd.