2005 Press Releases
Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation extends capital campaign to March 31 Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation’s campaign in support of the hospital’s new Emergency Department has reached 92 percent of its $3 million goal, announced Director Joelle Taylor. “More than $2.77 million been raised to date through the “Building a Better Tomorrow” campaign and the $3 million goal is within reach,” she said. “We’ve extended the capital campaign until March 31 to give people every opportunity to make a contribution to this most worthy cause.” According to President/Chief Executive Officer Darlene Burns, the generosity and support of the community has been a significant factor in helping to advance the hospital’s plans to expand the Emergency Department. “We are so very grateful for the overwhelming generosity that we’ve seen from every segment of our community, including businesses, medical professionals and individual citizens,” Mrs. Burns said. “In today’s healthcare environment, it’s very challenging to make such a large investment in capital improvements because margins are very tight.” “The success of this campaign has become even more important as the cost estimates of our project have increased,” Mrs. Burns said. “Because of world events including the hurricanes in Florida and the more recent tsunami, the escalation in the price of steel and other construction materials is pushing the price of our $10.5 million project even higher.” The hospital will break ground for the new 10,500 square-foot Emergency Department after it receives approval from the New York State Department of Health. Construction is expected to take up to 18 months. The expansion will nearly triple the size of the current emergency department which is plagued by overcrowding and extended wait times. The treatment rooms will be configured around a centralized nursing station to enhance workflow and visibility. A corridor circling the outside perimeter of the treatment rooms will provide secure and private access to patient families. The number of treatment rooms will be increased by 87% from eight to 15. Other highlights include a larger patient waiting area, larger treatment rooms and dedicated space for ambulance and security personnel. Construction of the hospital’s new Energy Center is slated to begin in mid-February. The 4,500 square foot facility will house new emergency generators, electrical switchgear, controls, boilers and water system chillers. Relocating the underground utilities and electric service to the energy center is necessary before construction can begin on the hospital’s new Emergency Department. The Energy Center project is expected to be completed by mid-August. “Donations received and pledges made by March 31 will count toward the campaign goal,” Taylor said. Donations are tax-deductible and may be sent to the Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1617 N. James St., Suite 950, Rome, NY, 13440. For information on multi-year pledges, call the Foundation office at 337-5162. | 