Residents get first look at $33-million hospital expansion

Grand opening signals completion of three-year project

More than 500 residents turned out Oct. 14 to get their first look at the new Calvert Memorial Hospital during an open house for the community. The family oriented event featured guided tours, free health screenings and children's activities.

The expansion - the largest in the hospital's 88-year history - has literally transformed the Prince Frederick campus. One fourth or 71,767 square feet is brand-new or rebuilt. The project created a greatly expanded Emergency Department, a new 10-bed Critical Care Unit, 16 additional acute care beds and 300 more parking spaces. It also features a concourse dedicated to outpatient services and a modernized laboratory.

Earlier in the week, the hospital hosted a special breakfast celebration for the CMH family - including the medical staff, employees and volunteers. This was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony in the new healing garden attended by 150 community and business leaders along with local and state officials.

"It's been a major undertaking to ensure that the high quality of patient care was not affected by the inevitable detours, moves and disruptions caused by construction," said CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis during his remarks at the ribbon cutting. "But our team was up to the challenge."

The day's festivities were capped off with a reception to thank donors to the capital campaign. The fund raising drive chaired by Prince Frederick residents Wanda and Michael King raised over $3 million to equip the expanded areas with the latest medical technology.

Many of those who were active in getting the expansion approved, funded, designed and built were on hand for the ceremony. "As with any project this size ... success is a collaborative effort," said Xinis, "so there any many people who deserve to be acknowledged."

Xinis recognized the hospital's board of directors for "their leadership, guidance and encouragement." He also thanked the Southern Maryland delegation for their support in securing $1.1 million in grant funds for the project. Additional funding was provided through the sale of bonds at favorable rates.

He also stressed the critical role played by staff and the community in the design phase. "We listened carefully to what they had to say," said Xinis, "especially with regards to privacy, more space and less noise."

"In the end, I think we achieved our goal of creating an environment that is comfortable and healing ...and at the same time efficient, orderly and functional."

The hospital president said that patient safety was a "primary focus" in the new and expanded areas. He detailed the many improvements made in this area, including the glass-fronted treatment rooms in the ED, a state-of-the-art helipad, a much larger decontamination unit, as well as technological advances like the new digital radiography system that eliminates X-ray film and allows physicians to see images instantly and start treatment.

"We're excited about the future of health care in Calvert County," said Xinis. "We have some of the finest, most dedicated healthcare professionals working here. And we feel confident that our expanded facility will continue to attract the best and the brightest."

For more details about the project and photos of the expanded areas, see our Healing by Design page (PDF).

CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis is joined by other speakers at the grand opening (l-r) Sen. Mike Miller, CMH Chairman of the Board Dean Schleicher and Sen. Roy Dyson.

Attendees at the Calvert Memorial Hospital grand opening gathered in The Harms Healing Garden to hear CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis speak about the how the expansion will benefit the community.

Wanda and Mike King of Prince Frederick (center) cut the ribbon marking the grand opening of the newly expanded Calvert Memorial Hospital. The couple was joined by (l-r) CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis, CMH Foundation President Henry Trentman, CMH Chairman of the Board Dean Schleicher, Dr. Emad Al-Banna, chief of the CMH medical staff, Sheryl Jones Alu, past president of the CMH Foundation, Rick Sasaki of Wilmot/Sanz Inc. and Cliff Stewart, chairman of the board's Buildings and Grounds Committee.

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