Phase I is Complete

By Margo Frink

Caption: Attending the ribbon cutting from left was Mike Kallet, Gene Morreale, Elizabeth Metzger, Dr. Daniel Ratnarajah, Victor Sirchia, Steven Potter and Amanda Larson.

Caption: Dr. Daniel Ratnarajah and Ann Pierz reveal the campaign goal and how much money has been raised to date.

(Oneida, NY Oct. 7, 2009) The ribbon was cut for Oneida Healthcare Center’s new Surgical Suite/ICU Wednesday morning. Elected officials, donors, community leaders, hospital officials and dozens of others turned out for a tour of the center’s $18 million expansion and renovation project. Phase I of the project began a year-and-a-half ago and is now complete.

Gene Morreale, CEO said the expansion is the largest project since the hospital opened in 1972.

“We are proud and excited to show it,” Morreale said.

Victor Sirchia, chairman of the OHC Board of Trustees said “these are operating rooms and ICU’s of the future,” and the “beautiful structure lacks of nothing.”

The second floor of the nearly 18,000 square feet addition houses four new state-of-the-art Operating Rooms, which are nearly twice the size of the previous OR’s, to accommodate all of the latest technology, including integrated video and information technology systems; a new Recovery (PACU) area; and the new and much larger Intensive Care Unit features improved patient/family comfort and privacy.

The first floor includes Sterile Processing and Supply for the OR’s, a new Information Technology Center, Medical Staff suite, and a Health Information Management Department.

Senator David Valesky and former Congressman John McHugh each secured money for the emergency department and IT center.

Valesky stressed the importance of information technology and said he and Morreale had previously discussed it.

“You can only go so far without it,” Valesky said. “It’s important for the community as we move forward.”

Dr. Daniel Ratnarajah, trichair of the campaign said he was thrilled to be a part of the project and was thankful for the volunteers who worked on the project.

Ann Pierz, trichair of the Oneida Healthcaring Campaign said the volunteer board consists of about 20 volunteers and this was the first time the board has been able to make a significant pledge. They pledged $5,000.

Pierz and Ratnarajah uncovered the campaign goal to reveal that $2.7 million of the $3 million goal has been pledged.

The second phase of the project will continue through most of next year and will involve renovation of the Ambulatory Surgery, Patient Registration and Emergency departments, as well as an updated entrance and patient pick-up/drop-off area. Also planned are new patient and visitor waiting areas. The project is expected to be complete by the fall of next year.

The campaign’s Community Division will kick-off later this month as the hospital Auxiliary presents its “Follies,” with proceeds from that going to help furnish the renovated Emergency Department.

Phase I is Complete

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