|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Sings Pointed Up
Construction moves onward and upward at HRH
HRHS BOARD MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PROJECT DESIGN
TEAM — The "Raisin' the Roof" ceremony was held Tuesday, Dec. 18 to
recognize the construction of two new patient floors at Halifax
Regional Hospital. Halifax Regional Health System boards members and
the project design team were recognized for their work and support in
getting the project
underway. Those recognized included: (l to r) Millie
Lavaway; Connie
Zamora; Stewart Nelson; Cheryl Terry; James Witko,
M.D.; Karen Hopkins;
Dexter Gilliam; Joseph Ferguson, M.D.; Kathryn
Roberts; Robert Conner;
Stephanie Heintzleman; Aubrey Houghton; Ben Fincher;
Carol Thomas; Val
Marshall; Rick Harrell; Blaine Lenhart; William
Confroy; Arthur
Reynolds; Chris Lumsden, CEO; Patricia Thomas,
Rachel Garrett; Mike
Thomas and Vance Midgett. (SOMcL photo
A groundbreaking ceremony can be tough to carry out when your
construction site is on the top of a building, so Halifax Regional
Hospital is "Raisin' the Roof" instead.
Employees from all areas of the health system were on-hand Tuesday
morning as Halifax Regional Hospital recognized the importance of its
latest construction project and marked the beginning of steel
construction for its two new patient floors, East IV and East V.
The event included comments from CEO Chris Lumsden, Joseph Ferguson,
MD, chairman of the Halifax Regional Health System Board of Directors
and James Witko, MD, medical staff president. The three leaders touched
on the overall mission of the project as well as specific benefits to
patients, visitors and employees.
"This will be a world class addition," said Lumsden, noting the 40 new
private rooms on the two floors will provide an atmosphere of healing
and nurturing for both patients and staff. In addition to the new
patient rooms some $5 million of renovations will be made to the
hospital's emergency department and family birthing center as well as
the addition of more parking space.
Ferguson termed the construction project "very important for our health
system. This brings us to the top of the health care system," he said.
Witko commented on the "warmth of the staff inside and how great the
new facility will be for both patients and employees. People say our
folks are so nice and so friendly and this is the finest hospital
they've been in.," he said proudly.
To mark the occasion, board members took a moment to sign the project's
first piece of steel, as well as a placard which will be hung in the
new addition. The event culminated with the lifting and placing of the
first piece of steel on the roof for the new addition.
"We're pleased with the progress of the project thus far and we want
the patients, visitors and employees to understand the benefits these
changes and additions will bring to everyone," Lumsden said, while
noting thatpatients and their visitors will have a splendid view of the
community from their windows. "This event is an example of the support
and enthusiasm that is present in this latest initiative."
In addition to the event outside, employees visited the Edmunds
Conference Room inside the hospital throughout the day, to see the
renderings of the project, enjoy a few refreshments and show their
support for the project by signing a "Raisin' the Roof" banner.
Officials from Halifax Regional Health System originally unveiled the
$14 million construction project during a press conference in August
and since then the preparations for steel construction have been moving
at a rapid-fire pace. Work began in earnest during the last two weeks
in October to prepare the top of the hospital for new steel structures
to be erected beginning this week.
The red construction elevator located on the north end of the
hospitalís exterior and the fenced area below have been the most
telling signs of the extensive work taking place on the roof, but
significant changes in traffic patterns around the hospital will begin
to take place and those people visiting the hospital campus are asked
to be aware of signs and construction cones.
"The protection of our medical staff, volunteers, patients and
visitors is imperative and we are using signs, cones and barriers to
help ensure everyone's safety," Lumsden said. "We've put several
measures in place to help with noise levels related to the
construction. These include everything from simple earplugs to special
noise-reducing earmuffs. We recognize that growing and changing can be
difficult and sometimes inconvenient, but we are doing our very best to
make this process an easy one."