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JEFFERSON CITY — “It’s a great day for Chillicothe,” exclaimed Mayor Chuck Haney, after a state panel in Jefferson City announced its unanimous support for construction of a new hospital in Chillicothe Monday.
Applause and cheers from three dozen people representing Chillicothe, as well as St. Luke’s Health System/Hedrick Medical Center, erupted in the state capitol room, where the panel members approved the city’s Certificate of Need — a necessary step for the project to move forward.
“This was the biggest step of the whole process,” Haney said. “We wouldn’t go anywhere without this.”
For more than a year, St. Luke’s Health System has been working on a plan to replace the existing Hedrick Medical Center. With the Certificate of Need approved, the project can now continue through the design process, finance process, land acquisition and a groundbreaking in April.
The all-inclusive project (building and equiping the facility) is estimated to cost around $36 million, and will be built at the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 65 and Mohawk Drive in north Chillicothe. Construction will be funded solely through past, present and future lease payments by St. Luke’s Hospital, as well as through city trust funds and community foundations. Chillicothe will have ownership of the building, and will collect lease payments from Saint Luke’s.
“This is the single biggest project that this city has ever undertaken as a city,” Haney said.
About half of the delegates traveled to Jefferson City Sunday evening, and a chartered bus carrying 16 people left at 6:30 Monday morning. The near hour-long presentation began at 11:15 a.m. Monday.
Matt Wenzel, chief executive officer of Hedrick Medical Center, led the presentation, giving an overview of the project. Others assisting with the presentation were City Administrator Ike Holland, Don Sipes (regional vice president for St. Luke’s Health System), Mike Palmer (chairman of the board for Hedrick Medical Center), Dr. Greg Miller (immediate past president of the Hedrick Medical Center medical staff), and Juanita Assel (member of the Community Advisory board for Hedrick and St. Luke’s).
In addition to the presenters, many other people were present to show support of the hospital project. Among them were the entire city council, the mayor, city administrator, city clerk, city auditor, chamber representatives, the school district superintendent, and more. The delegation also presented 22 letters of support for the project. The state panel is comprised of eight members: four appointed by the governor, as well as four legislators (two Democrats and two Republicans). One of the panel members was not in attendance.
“The committee was amazed that so many people attended,” Haney said.
At the end of the formal presentation, each person in attendance introduced themselves and stated why they supported construction of a new hospital.
Wenzel said that the Chillicothe presentation was among several made Monday to the panel, and, by far, had the most visible support.
“Seeing the community support really touched me,” Wenzel said.
Shortly after noon, the vote was taken, and the Certificate of Need, approved.
“When they did that and said congratulations, the crowd erupted in huge applause and cheers,” Haney said.
JEFFERSON CITY — “It’s a great day for Chillicothe,” exclaimed Mayor Chuck Haney, after a state panel in Jefferson City announced its unanimous support for construction of a new hospital in Chillicothe Monday.
Applause and cheers from three dozen people representing Chillicothe, as well as St. Luke’s Health System/Hedrick Medical Center, erupted in the state capitol room, where the panel members approved the city’s Certificate of Need — a necessary step for the project to move forward.
“This was the biggest step of the whole process,” Haney said. “We wouldn’t go anywhere without this.”
For more than a year, St. Luke’s Health System has been working on a plan to replace the existing Hedrick Medical Center. With the Certificate of Need approved, the project can now continue through the design process, finance process, land acquisition and a groundbreaking in April.
The all-inclusive project (building and equiping the facility) is estimated to cost around $36 million, and will be built at the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 65 and Mohawk Drive in north Chillicothe. Construction will be funded solely through past, present and future lease payments by St. Luke’s Hospital, as well as through city trust funds and community foundations. Chillicothe will have ownership of the building, and will collect lease payments from Saint Luke’s.
“This is the single biggest project that this city has ever undertaken as a city,” Haney said.
About half of the delegates traveled to Jefferson City Sunday evening, and a chartered bus carrying 16 people left at 6:30 Monday morning. The near hour-long presentation began at 11:15 a.m. Monday.
Matt Wenzel, chief executive officer of Hedrick Medical Center, led the presentation, giving an overview of the project. Others assisting with the presentation were City Administrator Ike Holland, Don Sipes (regional vice president for St. Luke’s Health System), Mike Palmer (chairman of the board for Hedrick Medical Center), Dr. Greg Miller (immediate past president of the Hedrick Medical Center medical staff), and Juanita Assel (member of the Community Advisory board for Hedrick and St. Luke’s).
In addition to the presenters, many other people were present to show support of the hospital project. Among them were the entire city council, the mayor, city administrator, city clerk, city auditor, chamber representatives, the school district superintendent, and more. The delegation also presented 22 letters of support for the project. The state panel is comprised of eight members: four appointed by the governor, as well as four legislators (two Democrats and two Republicans). One of the panel members was not in attendance.
“The committee was amazed that so many people attended,” Haney said.
At the end of the formal presentation, each person in attendance introduced themselves and stated why they supported construction of a new hospital.
Wenzel said that the Chillicothe presentation was among several made Monday to the panel, and, by far, had the most visible support.
“Seeing the community support really touched me,” Wenzel said.
Shortly after noon, the vote was taken, and the Certificate of Need, approved.
“When they did that and said congratulations, the crowd erupted in huge applause and cheers,” Haney said.
