After more than two decades of no Level 1 trauma center, and years of protest from community activists, South Side neighborhoods are slated to get improved emergency and trauma care via a $40 million joint project announced yesterday by University of Chicago Medicine and Sinai Health System.

The emergency room at Holy Cross Hospital — part of the Sinai system, which also includes JUF affiliate Mount Sinai Hospital — will be converted into a Level 1 trauma center. The facility, at 68th Street and California Avenue, will place many of Chicago’s violence-plagued neighborhoods within 5 miles of significantly upgraded emergency care.

According to the Chicago Tribune , a 2013 study found that people shot more than 5 miles from a trauma center are 23 percent more likely to die. The South Side has been without a Level 1 trauma center since 1991.

“Since Holy Cross became part of our health care network in 2013, we have been seeking ways to expand its reach, especially when it comes to acute care and violence prevention,” said Sinai CEO Karen Teitelbaum. “Bringing the expertise and resources of the University of Chicago Medicine and Sinai Health System together, we can do exponentially more for all of the communities on the south and southwest side of the city.”

According to the press release , Sinai — which has long had a Level 1 trauma center at Mount Sinai Hospital — will provide most of the staffing needs while UChicago provides specialists and capital to fund the renovation of the Holy Cross facilities.