Williamsport — Although gray skies and a cold drizzle served as the backdrop for Williamsport Regional Medical Center’s ground-breaking ceremony for a $140 million patient tower, the overall prognosis for the hospital is anything but cloudy.
Last Wednesday’s ceremony was a high-water mark in the hospital’s $250 million, multi-year Project 2012 building and renovation process.
Several hundred people from the community, civic leaders, members of the media and hospital staff gathered together at the corner of Walnut and Louisa streets, where the new addition will be constructed in stages so as not to interrupt services at the hospital.
When completed in early 2012, the new tower, which will feature many green technology aspects, will contain a wide array of new and expanded services.
A greatly expanded and modern emergency room will occupy the ground floor, while upper floors will include an updated surgical floor, imaging departments and extensive intensive and critical care units.
A high-tech education and innovation center, along with an orthopedic and spinal services, will be housed in the new addition, which will also accommodate 84 new, single-patient rooms.
Lycoming County Commissioner Rebecca Burke said the project will turn the hospital into a “health and healing destination” for central Pennsylvania.
In addition to giving the city of Williamsport a modern medical complex with quality care and compassion, the city is also gaining financially in many ways.
According to Steven P. Johnson, hospital president and CEO, the patient tower alone will generate about $500,000 in building permits while creating 230 new health system jobs, with an estimated 270 additional “ripple effect” support jobs.
Project 2012 has already created more than 400 temporary construction jobs with the new patient tower and numerous other expansion and renovations projects throughout the system’s three hospitals in Lycoming County.
A few of the most challenging projects so far have included the construction of a dual, fuel Energy Service Center and the acquisition of 105 residential properties that bordered the south side of the hospital, allowing for new construction, parking and a new grand entrance to the hospital.
It was also announced during the groundbreaking ceremony that the 131-year-old institution, formerly named the Williamsport Hospital & Medical Center, will now become the Williamsport Regional Medical Center to represent the hospital’s expanded services to the region.
Life
Related Photos
-
Image provided
Hospital breaks ground for $140 million addition
- Life
-
-
Valley experts differ on ideas for job creation
SUNBURY — When President Barack Obama gives his jobs speech Thursday night before Congress and a nation facing a 9.1 unemployment rate, he should act to lower the minimum wage and taxes, target government investments wisely, spend on long-lasting projects, or cut spending, reduce regulations and trim the size of Washington, Valley experts suggested.
-
Carbs under control
Parents with a child who has Type 1 diabetes sometimes find it difficult to let go of the important responsibility to constantly check insulin levels. Just ask Doreen Giordani, of Sunbury.
-
After the pounds come off
Bariatric surgery offers those who are 100-plus-pounds overweight a viable option for reclaiming their lives, a physician at Geisinger Medical Center noted.
-
Accreditation awarded to hospital
Sunbury Community Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with The Joint Commission’s national standards for health care and safety in hospitals.
-
16 years old and still growing
The more things change the more they stay the same. That's what Dr. Michael Ryan, director of pediatrics at Janet Weis Children's Hospital, in Danville, said, as he discussed the 16 year anniversary of the facility.
-
Americans turn to technology to control impulses
NEW YORK — Dan Nainan can't trust himself to work at his computer without clicking on distractions, so he uses an Internet-blocking program to shut down his Web access twice a day. "I'm sorry, but try as I might, I could never, ever do this on my own," said the New York City comedian who's struggling to finish a book. "I wish I could, but I just don't have the discipline."
-
Some babyproofing basics for the new year
Babies and toddlers are curious creatures. Something captures their attention — a stuffed animal, a shiny object or a noisy rattle — and they're going after it. Just make sure they aren't chasing a teddy bear on top of a dresser, the blade of a knife or a pill bottle.
-
Texts, Web really do allow Santa to be everywhere
PHILADELPHIA — He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, and he knows how many followers you have on Twitter.
-
In tough economy, Santas are suffering
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Craig McTavish — a.k.a. Santa — has the beard. He has the belly. He even has a few tricks up his sleeve, like pulling up to parties on his Harley-Davidson in full Kris Kringle garb. But there's one thing he doesn't have: work.
-
Soften the impact
The cold weather and snow are here, which means winter recreation enthusiasts should be armed with ways to protect themselves from traumatic head and brain injuries that are typical for the season.
- More Life Headlines
-
