Hospital campaign exceeds goal, raises $5.01M
Open-heart surgery center will open in May at the Atrium Medical Center.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — Middletown has seen some rough economic times during the past few years, but more than 1,300 area residents, businesses, organizations, health care employees and volunteers pulled together to exceed a goal set by the Mid-Miami Healthcare Foundation.
About 100 people gathered Wednesday, April 23, at the Atrium Medical Center's Professional Office Building auditorium to celebrate the end of the three-year "Advancing Care for a Healthier Community" capital campaign "stretched" to $4.5 million to provide additional technology for the hospital's new Heart Center.
Advancing Care for a Healthier Community campaign committee members unroll the final tally of the three-year campaign that raised $5.01 million for heart care and wellness at the Atrium Medical Center on Wednesday, April 23, in Middletown. More than 1,300 area residents, businesses, organizations, health care workers and volunteers contributed to the campaign sponsored by the Mid-Miami Healthcare Foundation. Staff photo by Ed RichterAs campaign co-chairman, Jim Kleingers, reviewed a series of numbers to describe the construction of the $195 million hospital, he also announced the campaign's final tally of more than $5.01 million.
Dr. John Miller, open-heart surgery medical director, said the new Heart Center, scheduled to open next month, will offer comprehensive care, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and cardiac
emergencies.
Miller said the new facility will begin with bypass surgeries and within two years offer all procedures except for heart transplantation.
According to the foundation, campaign funds were used to establish a cardiac catherization lab and a electrophysiology lab; a dedicated, digitally integrated cardiac surgical suite; a heart-lung machine, special monitoring devices and all necessary support equipment within the surgical suite; 10 fully-equipped cardiovascular surgical intensive care patient rooms; and furnishings to ensure patient privacy and convenience.
Co-chairman John Sawyer said it was a challenging sell for the community, but as the hospital construction progressed, it became easier.
Doug McNeill, hospital president and chief executive, praised the campaign leadership as well as the foundation's staff and board of directors. He also lauded the support of the hospital's employees.
After the presentations, Kleingers said it was gratifying to see how the community stepped up and delivered in a way people didn't expect.
"This was a great community effort because it shows the resilience of Middletown," Sawyer said. "People put their money where their hearts were and this will be our economic anchor for many years to come.
"With these new facilities, we're truly a regional hospital."
