SYLACAUGA — Coosa Valley Medical Center marked another milestone on the West Wing expansion Tuesday as the final steel beam was placed atop the new structure.Representatives from federal, state and local governmental offices and dozens of residents and hospital staff members gathered for the ceremonial “topping out” ceremony.
From 3 till 4 p.m., the beam sat in the hospital parking lot off Spring Street so those who wanted to could sign the beam before it was lifted to the top of the facility.
Hospital representatives addressed the crowd before the beam was set in place.
“As I look over my shoulder, what I see is more impressive than what I had anticipated,” said John Bowers, chairman of the hospital board.
Chief medical staffer Dr. Ammar Aldaher also expressed pride in the growing facility.
“It is truly a dream come true,” he said. “It’s a great achievement, and I’m looking ahead to the future. I’m excited about the future.”
Glen Sisk, CVMC chief executive officer, said the day, Aug. 1, was significant in the history of the hospital. He reminded the crowd that two years ago, CVMC officially separated itself from the Baptist Health System.
He then thanked the people who had been instrumental in making the expansion a reality. Among those, he included members of the Sylacauga Health Care Authority; government officials at the federal, state and local levels; and Hoar Construction Company, which has worked steadily to keep the construction on schedule.
“These folks provided the governance and made this day a reality,” Sisk said.
Construction of the four-story, 120,000-square-foot facility is on schedule and should be completed in March 2007. Ground was broken on the $28 million project in September 2005, and the hot, dry weather has helped speed construction along.
Once finished, there will be 80 large patient rooms, many of which will be private and have 14-foot ceilings.
It will also include a surgery room, a pre- and post-surgery area, an imaging center, food service and cafeteria, loading docks, ambulance entrance and a materials management area.
Sisk said that, in the past three years, CVMC has had a few main priorities – developing an environment where patients’ needs are met and expectations exceeded and adding new services and facilities.
Three physicians were recently hired, and Sisk said more will be coming in the next few years.
“We hope to continue to grow that number by 20 something over the next five years,” he said.
Also recently, a new CT scanner, mammogram technology and a sleep center were added to the hospital’s list of services.
And Sisk hopes for more improvement in the future.
“As a member of the CVMC team, I hope in the future to meet you at your point of needs and exceed your expectations,” he said.
