The completion of the first phase of construction of the St. Vincent’s Medical Center Clay County was celebrated at a “topping out” ceremony Friday near the new medical facility on Branan Field Road.
“This is such an exciting time for St. Vincent’s HealthCare,” said Moody Chisholm, president and CEO of St. Vincent’s HealthCare. “The placement of this beam means we are one step closer to bringing our mission and our quality care to the doorsteps of the people in Clay County.”
The new medical facility is scheduled to be open October 2013 and has been described as one of the larger economic development projects in Clay County’s history.
The combination of the medical center, medical office building and supporting businesses are expected to create economic impact of more than $52 million over the coming three years in Clay County, said Chisholm.
The 147,000 square foot, 64-bed medical center will include an emergency room with a separate family entrance and waiting area along with dedicated pediatric rooms. In addition to the full-service hospital, a medical office building will be located at the site with various physician offices, which are expected to bring approximately 300 hundred additional jobs to the Clay County area.
“When this hospital opens, it will be a different kind of hospital. We want it to be the kind of place where you walk in and you are greeted by name and you get the kind of care you expect every time safely from a compassionate and warm group. You are discharged in an efficient manner. You get the right bill. All of you experience with us in convenient and efficient. That is our vision and that is the way we want to build this hospital,” said Chisholm.
David Prusha, senior vice president of HKS Inc., an architecture firm working on the project, talked about how the project was about more than just new buildings in Clay County.
“This isn’t just about bricks and sticks. It’s about giving the community the health care they sorely need,” said Prusha.
A topping out ceremony is normally held when the last beam is placed at the top of a structure. Also, a tree is placed at the top of the structure to signify that no lives had been lost during the construction of the project.
@photojoe71
356-2466