MWMC unveils modernization plan

September 5, 2004

From the Herald and News newspaper September 5, 2004



Merle West Medical Center anticipates beginning a 100,000-square-foot modernization next spring. The new care area is in the foreground in this artist's rendering; the existing facility is in the background.

Merle West Medical Center officials are planning a major addition to the four-story, 40-year-old hospital to accommodate new technology and provide more space for patients.

The 100,000-square-foot expansion project will include 50 private rooms and 17 semi-private rooms, and will be built in front of the current hospital, which will continue to house administrative offices as well as some medical equipment. Plum Ridge Care Center will stay in its current location as will the day surgery unit and the family birthing center.

"Merle West Medical Center is embarking on an inspired and innovative modernization," says Neal Eberlein, volunteer chairman of the project's capital campaign.

Join Neal on a brief video tour as he outlines the philosophy and details of the project.

Choose the file that suits you best:
Vision for the Future - High Bandwidth
http://www.mwmc.org/videos/vision/vision_hq.htm

Vision for the Future - Low Bandwidth
http://www.mwmc.org/videos/vision/vision_lq.htm

See a slide show of artist's and architect's drawings of the MWMC modernization.

"Health care has changed so much since we built the hospital 40 years ago," said Neal Eberlein, a member of boards of both Merle West Medical Center and its foundation. He also is leading a community fund-raising effort that hopes to raise $10 million towards the $45 million project. The drive starts today. The cost includes new equipment and emerging technology upgrades.

"Part of the concept will be to take a holistic approach to medicine. A lot of people are interested in the spiritual aspect of care, and we want to encourage families to stay and be part of the care process."

Eberlein said the new addition would be built so patients stay in their rooms for care. Medical equipment such as X-rays would come to their bedside, rather than the patient being moved from room to room. It also will include space for two healing gardens, courtyards and an atrium as meditative spaces for families, patients and staff, he said. Natural light also will be part of the design.

The new private rooms will be nearly 75 square feet larger than current rooms and include handicap-accessible bathrooms and space for family members to stay.

Space includes rooms for intensive care patients as well as short-term patients, who need rooms for 24 hours or less to receive treatments and recuperate enough to go home.

More than 170 new parking spaces for employees will be added in the back of the current hospital, freeing up space near the entrance for visitors.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for as early as spring 2005, and officials hope to be able to occupy the addition by the end of 2006.

The concept is similar to the design of the family birthing center, built six years ago as an addition to the original hospital.

Eberlein said building the new addition is more cost-effective than remodeling the 1965 structure.

The project will be built in three phases over the five years. The first phase is construction of the two inpatient floors. The second phase, scheduled for 2008, will include the expansion of the emergency and diagnostic imaging departments, and the third phase, seismic upgrades, will be completed in 2009. Future expansion would include adding to the new north wing.

Plans for the addition began about four years ago and the design is based on feedback from patients and families, doctors, nurses, staff and architects and experts in hospital design and function, Eberlein said. The new space will include lots of light as well.

Funding will come from community support as well as bonding and conventional financing. The hospital has secured about $17 million in tax-free bonds for the project. The amount of financing will be affected by the amount raised in the community. If $10 million is raised, the hospital would finance about $15 million.

"It's almost impossible to do a project like this without a considerable community fund-raising effort," Eberlein said. He said board members have scheduled meetings with foundations and corporations to solicit donations, and they also plan to go to community members for support.

Paul Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of Merle West, was out of town during the announcement of the project, but said in a written statement that the medical center is committed to investing in technology and facilities.

"Health is not simply the absence of sickness," he said. "Creating and maintaining health means investing in people, equipment, facilities and services that promote and nurture wellness and care with kindness and dignity."

Eberlein added that another goal of the new design will be to make the hospital a friendly and warm place to work and receive care.

"We want to expedite the healing process for patients and also create a total atmosphere that people will want to come and work in."