Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in the late 1980’s was quoted as saying “I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.” While this author isn’t sure what the British politician was referring to, the administration, staff and patients at Share Memorial Hospital may be able to relate as construction crews near completion of the multi-million dollar expansion and renovation project. Many anticipate the finished product will be truly great, but the inherent growing pains continue to challenge one’s patience.

The Alva Review Courier covered a good deal of the construction progress to date in the June 24 issue. The west-end is coming right along as reported. Additionally, a special meeting of the Alva Hospital Authority was held on June 25 to approve bids for completing the next phase of the west-end stabilization.

New construction is going smooth as well and no days were lost due to weather in the past month. Exterior doors and windows have been installed in the new portion of the building and the project is almost completely ‘dried in’. CMS Willowbrook (the construction management company) and McFarland Davies Architects report that progress will move along much quicker once the building is completely sealed up.

Work will begin soon on the east parking lots and sidewalks. That will mark the end of the major exterior work, as the majority of the project will move inside. There is still an anticipated completion of the new construction in the late fall or early winter.

Business as UN-usual

The department managers at the medical center had an emergency meeting last Monday afternoon to, of all things, think back to the ice storm of 2002. The purpose of the reminiscing exercise was to prepare for a temporary powering down of the hospital from Sunday July 1^st thru Tuesday the 3^rd. “We anticipate a short period of time which we will be operating on emergency power only,” stated SMC CEO Barbara Oestmann. The transition to emergency power will occur when electrical crews work to transfer old power lines to new electrical panels. “For the most part, system-wide shut-down will be minimal and most departments will have power during the three-day transition,” Oestmann added.

The emergency department and inpatient medical floor will remain completely open. Outpatient scheduling will be minimal during this time and no surgeries have been scheduled. “Given that this is a holiday week, we naturally expect lower patient volume as compared to other weeks,” remarked Oestmann. The hospital did conduct a 30-minute test to see how each department would be impacted. Oestmann concluded, “We have taken the necessary steps to prepare for this particular inconvenience, but when the real thing happens this week, we’ll be praying for no surprises and plenty of patience.”

SMC staff and administration apologize for any inconvenience resulting from the construction project, but remind all that a little patience now will be well-worth it later.