2004 Press Releases

Meier secures $100,000 for

Rome’s new Emergency Department

ROME – Senator Raymond A. Meier, R-C, Western, has secured $100,000 in state funding for Rome Memorial Hospital’s new $10.5 million Emergency Department, announced President and Chief Executive Officer Darlene Burns, M.S., R.N.

“We met with Senator Meier in March to outline our vision for a new 10,500 square foot Emergency Department that would enhance patients’ comfort and privacy and decrease wait times through more space and greater efficiency,” Mrs. Burns said. “We’re very appreciative that the Senator shares in our vision of improving healthcare services for the people we serve.”

The hospital is building a new Emergency Department to address the overcrowding that has occurred as a result of the increasing number of patient visits. The current Emergency Department was built in 1976 when the number of patient visits numbered less than 10,000 per year.  In 2003, the Emergency Department staff treated 19,165 patients, a 3.4% increase over 2002.

“At one time or another most of us will need to visit the emergency room whether it be for ourselves or with a family member.  Last year, Rome Memorial Hospital provided care to nearly two times the number of patients than the emergency room was originally built to care for.  This project is very important to ensure Rome Memorial can continue to provide the highest quality of care to its patients,” Senator Meier said.

“We’re grateful to the Senator for his support and are confident in his continued commitment to projects that benefit the greater good of the community,” Mrs. Burns said.

Seeking broad community support for the new Emergency Department, the Rome Memorial Hospital Foundation launched a $3 million “Building a Better Tomorrow” capital campaign to help offset the $10.5 million cost of the project.  As of Oct. 18, $2,462,585 has been raised towards the goal, according to the Foundation’s Executive Director Joelle Taylor.

“During the initial phase of the campaign, nearly $2.25 million was pledged by major donors, foundations, hospital management, physicians and board members,” Mrs. Taylor said.  “In the month since we launched the public phase of the campaign, we have received an additional $218,912 in pledges, including the grant secured by the Senator.”

Site work to pave the way for Rome Memorial Hospital’s new Emergency Department started Wednesday, Oct. 6.  This initial phase of the project will include grading and paving as contractors prepare to construct a new parking area and paved traffic circle on the north side of the hospital near the Emergency Department.  Other site work will include extending the current access road that runs parallel to Black River Boulevard, creating a new 57-space parking lot, relocating an existing garage and moving the hospital’s helipad. 

A new energy center to house the hospital’s mechanical systems will be constructed before work begins on the new 10,500 square foot Emergency Department.  Expected to open in 2006, the new facility will take approximately a year to build.