Dawn of a new hospital
Emergency workers wheel Vera Zinn into the new North Valley Hospital early Thursday morning in Whitefish. Zinn was the first patient to be admitted into the hospital. Jennifer DeMonte photos/Daily Inter Lake
North Valley opens new $30 million facility
At 7:06 a.m. Thursday, the doors of the new North Valley Hospital opened in pre-dawn darkness as ambulance workers wheeled the first patient across the threshold.
On the gurney was Vera Zinn of Whitefish, an active hospital auxiliary member who had toured the new $30 million facility a few weeks ago. She said she never dreamed she'd be making history as the first admission.
"It's wonderful to be a part of this," Zinn said, feeling a little overwhelmed as hospital officials and staff swarmed around her to celebrate the moment.
Just minutes before the inaugural patient arrived, hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Aasved announced the facility's official opening over the new intercom. Whitefish Kiwanians arrived with a new flag and raised it on a pole outside the main entrance.
HOSPITAL WORKERS were busy at the old North Valley Hospital, too, getting the remaining seven patients ready for transport to the new hospital.
Columbia Falls patient Gloria Arriaga was the last one out the door. Her son, who works in the hospital's imaging services department, was there to give her a kiss as medics wheeled her down the hall.
"It's about time the community gets a new hospital," Arriaga had told the staff earlier during her stay. "The nurses are so sweet - even the cleaning staff are loving and caring."
The emptiness of the old hospital was palpable. Shelves had been stripped of their contents, bare walls dotted with nail holes looked old and worn. A lone hospital bed languished in a hallway.
Shortly after 8 a.m., Aasved scurried into the old building for another declaration: "After 36 years of North Valley Hospital [operating] at this location, this hospital is officially closed."
He acknowledged the staff is leaving "lots of memories and good times" behind, but added: "We're taking that tradition to our new location."
Amid the applause, hugs and handshakes, there were tears, too.
"It's still hard to believe it's happening," said Carol Blake, head of community relations.
THE MOVE began March 13, and by yesterday morning, about 80 percent of the hospital equipment and paraphernalia had been relocated, Aasved said. Emergency rooms were functional at both facilities during the transition.
A year ago, North Valley brought in consultant John Schnebly of Klamath Falls, Ore., who specializes in moving hospitals.
"It's the best money we ever spent," Aasved said.
The transition went like clockwork, even though moving an entire hospital is "a pretty complex project," he said. "The process was very slick."
It'll be a busy first month for the new hospital, especially in the obstetrics department, where 42 deliveries are expected in April. There were a few anxious mothers-in-waiting, wondering which hospital their baby would be born in.
"We had some calling yesterday, asking 'when's the latest time I can come to the old hospital?'" Blake said.
COMPLETION OF the 82,352-square-foot alpine-style hospital marks the end of a five-year effort by the hospital staff, board of directors and community supporters. It sits on a 45-acre parcel near the intersection of Montana 40 and U.S. 93.
A one-level facility, the hospital reflects its Planetree affiliation with extensive natural light and earthy shades of green and brown to create a healing environment. The design maximizes space for patient use with small, intimate waiting areas strategically located throughout the building.
A central mall corridor soaring 28 feet high stretches from the main to south entrances, filling the hospital with light. It serves as a central axis to connect all departments.
The new hospital is 60 percent bigger than the old one.
A community auction will be held at the old hospital April 27-28 to dispose of miscellaneous furniture and fixtures that didn't make the cut for the hospital's new digs.
North Valley Hospital is selling the old facility and property to the Aspen Group; that deal closes May 31, Aasved said.
Until then, the old hospital will be locked and mothballed, except for an aquarium full of fish that couldn't be moved because the new aquarium hasn't arrived yet. Someone will have to feed the fish for the next few days.
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com