SYLACAUGA — For decades city leaders have dreamed and worked to find a way to build a new hospital. That effort was realized Monday as a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a $28 million health care facility in the Marble City.Hundreds turned out to see history in the making for the community.
Glenn Sisk, chief executive officer for CVMC, put the dream and final result into perspective during the ceremony.
"In the midst of challenges all around us, from the daily fight for peace and freedom abroad, to the reality of some of the most damaging natural disasters our country has seen in years, we gather today to celebrate one of the most exciting and hopeful days in the history of Coosa Valley Medical Center," Sisk said.
Throughout the late 80s, 90s and remaining into this century, he said, mergers acquisitions and consolidations have dominated health care. Rural hospitals have especially been affected as common wisdom has suggested that in order to survive, support of a tertiary health system was an absolute.
"As you know by now, the last year has been a little different for Coosa Valley Medical Center. Emerson once wrote, ‘Do not go where the path may lead, but go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.’
"The Sylacauga Healthcare Authority chose to blaze a new trail May 26, 2004, when it executed an asset purchase agreement with the Baptist Health System to once again bring local ownership and decision making to Coosa Valley Medical center. Sixty-six days later, the revival was complete and Coosa Valley Medical Center was off and running," he said.
Sisk asked the trailblazers and visionaries of this effort to stand. They are members of the Sylacauga Healthcare Authority: John Floyd, chairman; Dr. John Bowers, vice chairman; retired Circuit Judge Jerry Fielding, secretary/treasurer; Wallace Shoemaker, past chairman; Dot Brown; Jesse Cleveland; and Dr. Bill Mims.
Also supporting the authority during this time are John Quenelle, chairman emeritus; Dr. Steve Bowen, then chief of staff; Dr. Ammar Aldaher, current chief of staff; and Doug Murphree, council president and liaison to the authority.
Floyd provided opening remarks saying, "What a great day today is for this hospital, staff and community. We can’t go any further without paying tribute those who walked before us. This is a journey that started before I came on this board in 1993. We have been through trials and tribulations, but today we celebrate the future of health care in this area with the groundbreaking for this new hospital."
Floyd said the hospital had both local and state support in this effort.
"I want to welcome and thank you for your support as we break ground on this wonderful facility," he said.
Aldaher offered his thoughts on the future hospital. "It looks like we are going to have a new hospital finally. For awhile I thought it might not happen, but it has. I am so thankful to this administration for its leadership and to the hospital board for its determination to do this. Thanks to the medical staff for sticking behind this hospital," he said.
Sisk spoke of the history of the hospital.
"In 1945, the only non-military hospital to open in the United States occurred right here in Sylacauga. While she’s served surrounding communities well during this period, it is with great anticipation that we look forward to new construction beginning tomorrow morning," he said.
Sisk shared with those attending the ceremony the individuals who contributed to making the day a reality.
"They have demonstrated tremendous resourcefulness, outstanding competence for their trade and an enormous amount of patience," he said.
These included the hospital’s architectural partner, Birchfield, Penuel and Associates; general contractor, Hoar Construction; legal partners, Balch & Bingham, Gaines, Wolter & Kinney, Johnston, Barton, Proctor & Powell, and Proctor & Vaughn; financial partners, Raymond James, Joe Jolley & Associates, Nash Financial Advisors and Zeigler Capital Markets Group; bank partners, SouthTrust/Wachovia; and project management partner, Adams Management Group.
Sisk said few things great have ever been achieved without passion, enthusiasm and persistence.
He said to illustrate this point in health care, only three replacement hospitals have been completed in Alabama since 1994. Each of these facilities were a member of a large health system and Monday’s efforts further distinguished Coosa Valley Medical Center as the only independent replacement hospital to begin this journey in at least a dozen years.
The chief executive officer for the hospital said, "As we now commit some $28 million to new bricks, mortar and equipment, it is my hope, my prayer and my expectation that Coosa Valley Medical Center will remain committed to several key principles."
Those are, he said, to provide outstanding clinical outcomes whenever possible; to support an outstanding patient experience supported by guest excellence; to effectively recruit key physicians to the community; and to maintain a balance between "our mission and financial health."
Sisk concluded by saying, "Hippocrates once said, ‘Wherever the art of medicine is practiced, there is also respect for humanity.’ It is with this respect we break ground on our new West Wing Project. And as we do so, let us imagine what is possible in health care tomorrow and pledge to remain in step with these advances as we strive to exceed the expectations of those who seek care at Coosa Valley Medical Center."
Hospital chaplain Glenn Winter offered prayer for the project, while Penny Swearingen sang a selection at the closing of the ceremony.
The new four-story medical facility is approximately 120,000 square feet with more than 80 inpatient rooms. The majority of these rooms will be private, much bigger with more than 14 foot high ceilings. The hospital will include a medical/surgery area, pre- and post-surgery; an imaging center; food service and cafeteria; loading docks; ambulance entrance; and materials management area.
Added features of the hospital is a women’s center and expanded ICU.
The new hospital is expected to be completed in spring 2007.
The hospital today is Sylacauga’s largest employer with 580 employees, more than 40 active medical staff members and 60 auxiliary members.
