Capital Campaign
A Stronger Hospital Means a Stronger Community
"As a lifetime member of this community, I have watched our local medical services grow to meet the highest care standards. The professionals at West Shore will claim they just do their jobs, but it’s time to recognize how different our lives would be if they only ‘did their jobs’ and didn’t deliver care with confidence and dedication."
These words were written in a thank-you letter from Nita Guenthardt after medical services saved the life of a closed friend, as well as her husband, Tom. Notes of appreciation are not uncommon at West Shore, but what stands out about Nita’s message is recognition of the hospital’s growth and improvements.
Growing Together to Serve You Better
West Shore continues to make great strides in its facilities and technology. In October 2006, construction began on an $8.8 million construction project that includes 28,200 square feet of new space and extensive renovations of an additional 20,000 square feet.
The medical/surgical unit will see the most exceptional changes with 12 new private patient rooms. The new rooms are twice the size of current patient rooms with space and furnishings for family to comfortably stay with their loved ones. Each room has a full wall of windows and is decorated for a warmer, less clinical atmosphere. Bathrooms with large showers allow wheelchair access and have the latest in safety features. Adjacent patient rooms and the critical care unit are also being renovated to include more comfort, safety, and privacy.
The maternal and newborn unit is moving to the third floor, and more labor/deliver and post-partum rooms are being added. The two current LDRP rooms were popular with mothers and their families, and now all patients will be able to enjoy private bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and "rooming in" space for their babies. A comfortable waiting area and viewing nursery will make family and visitor access convenient.
"Three years ago, we called on staff, physicians, board members, and community leaders to create a vision of a healthier environment for patients," said Burt Parks, president of West Shore Medical Center. "The priorities included encouraging family involvement and connecting to nature. Staff also wanted to minimize steps needed for stocking supplies and record-keeping so they could spend more time with patients. The new rooms have been designed with features that address these, and many other opportunities, for enhancing patient care."
West Shore’s expansion project also includes the addition of a Facility Services Building for centralizing maintenance, housekeeping, and shipping/receiving and an expanded kitchen and dining room. At the front of the hospital building, the West Shore Education Center has been added. This addition includes classrooms that will be used by West Shore Community College for evening courses and by the hospital at other times for meetings, clinical training, and professional development.
An Investment in Health Care, an Investment in Manistee
It has taken careful financial management for West Shore to grow and change with the community’s needs. While some hospitals have cut services or even closed their doors, Manistee’s residents and visitors have been able to count on more, rather than less, when it comes to health care services.
"Evening during today’s uncertain economy, the improvements to our facilities were necessary," Parks said. "The inpatient rooms were built more than 35 years ago and simply are not adequate for today’s medical technology or the compassionate care that is so important to the healing process."
Funding for the $8.8 million project comes from operating funds and bond financing. The capital and operating costs of the Education Center are supported in part by a long-term lease with West Shore Community College.
West Shore Healthcare Foundation has also committed its support to the hospital’s growth through a two-year capital campaign. With several major gifts as well as proceeds from three recent fundraisers already in hand, this campaign has an excellent start towards its $750,000 goal.
The construction project will be completed by the end of 2007, but its impact will be felt by everyone in the community for many years to come. Now the hospital is turning to you and others to give a gift that will help make life better for your family, friends, and neighbors.
