Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Sacred Heart Hospital Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Burke
September 12, 2008 850-969-1319

Construction Proceeding on Target for New Hospital
In Port St. Joe

Construction is continuing on the new $35 million Sacred Heart Hospital being built along Highway 98 in Port St. Joe. The new hospital and adjacent medical office building will bring quality healthcare to Gulf and Franklin counties and will provide as many as 150 new jobs.
"The construction is progressing nicely, and we have been fortunate not to be impacted by any inclement weather, which could delay the project. We are still on target to open the hospital in the fall of 2009,” said Brian Matson, vice president of strategic planning for Sacred Heart Health System.
Work on the foundation and excavation of retention ponds on the 27-acre site is now complete. Installation of underground electrical and plumbing infrastructures is underway, and vertical construction of the building is slated to begin the first week in October. Construction of the adjacent medical office building is anticipated to begin in the next 60 days, and is scheduled to open with the new hospital.
“Offering a medical office building on the hospital campus will provide patients convenient access both to physicians and any required diagnostic services,” said Peter Heckathorn, executive vice president, Sacred Heart Health System.
Sacred Heart has provided radiology services in local area for more than a year and recently began offering rehabilitation services in both the Port St. Joe and Beacon Hill communities. "Sacred Heart is pleased to show our commitment to the local community by offering these services in advance of our hospital opening," said Sidney Scarborough, vice president of ambulatory care, Sacred Heart Heath System. "Response to the rehab clinics and radiology services has been encouraging, and the physicians have been extremely supportive." The new Sacred Heart Hospital will provide residents of Gulf and Franklin counties with healthcare facilities that include:
A community hospital with private rooms, an 24-hour emergency department and operating rooms
A full complement of diagnostic and laboratory services
A medical office building with space for primary care and specialty physicians, as well as various outpatient services
A helipad to be used by Sacred Heart's AirHeart helicopter, providing rapid transport for trauma patients and other critically-ill patients
For more information about Sacred Heart Health System, visit www.sacred-heart.org.

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