Throughout the course of our building project, I have written these columns to highlight developments and progress towards completion of the new hospital. Many of you have told me, either in person or via social media, how excited you are about the new facility and how much you’re looking forward to seeing it and receiving services there. We’re certainly happy that you feel that way.
One of the things that has long set Smith County apart from some other “communities” is the strong support exhibited for our board of trustees, medical staff and hospital staff in general. This support makes us an example for other areas of the state to emulate, and I am often asked by other hospital leaders how we manage to generate the support we
do. It’s hard to explain, other than the fact that the medical and hospital staff have worked hard for many generations to meet the needs of the community, and to do so in a positive way. It becomes a sort of a symbiotic relationship. We enjoy the support of the community, which makes all of us much more energized to go above and beyond the bare minimum to give back to the community. We encourage and support each other. That support has made the work involved in designing, building and problem solving for the new facility much more enjoyable for those of us involved.
Make no mistake about it, designing and building this wonderful new facility has been incredibly taxing for many of us. Extra hours of dreaming, thinking, talking and problem solving do take energy. The board of trustees, medical staff and hospital leaders have all put untold time and energy into the project. Now we are on the final countdown to completion. As I write this, there are 37 days until our grand opening and dedication ceremony on Aug. 5, and three days beyond that until we will transfer our services to the new location. The payback for the hours of thought, worry and sweat exerted by so many people will come when we are able to share the new facility with the community and begin using it.
As we count down the final days, there are still many things that need to be finished. Our architects have been working over the last three weeks to complete “punch lists” of little details that need to be fixed: a nick in the paint, a joint in the floor covering that isn’t completely sealed, a cabinet that doesn’t close properly. Those little details will be completed before we accept the building from Hutton Construction.
Many systems are still being installed: fire alarm system, nurse call system, security systems, electronic door locks and openers, computer systems and equipment, telephone systems, cardiac monitoring equipment, surgical equipment and imaging equipment just to name a few. All of these are in the final stages of installation, testing and training for the staff.
Completion of the parking lot surfaces, striping of parking stalls and marking of handicapped spaces are currently underway. And, of course, the project to widen Highway 36 and provide turning lanes into the hospital. All of these will be completed before we move in.
I was talking with one of the subcontractors inside the building. He had been here last week to begin work on one of the systems. It had been one week since he was here, and he was absolutely amazed at the progress and changes that had occurred in that time.
Last week I accompanied the state architect for the USDA Rural Development Program as she performed an acceptance inspection to allow us to be deemed “substantially complete” for financing purposes. She had not one negative thing to say about the building. She was pleased with what she saw.
This week we are expecting the state fire marshal to complete an inspection to determine whether we will be granted a certificate of occupancy. The state pharmacy Inspector still has to make a final inspection and give approval to the design and construction of the pharmacy spaces and systems in the building.
As you can see there is still work to be done, but I have confidence that it will go well. Let us finish up the hundreds of little details left, and then celebrate with us on Aug. 5. We look forward to it!