District patrons get first look at new Samaritan Hospital
Samaritan Healthcare Commissioners Alan White, right, and Susan Carbon, second from right, share a fist bump during a celebration of the opening of the new hospital. Also standing are commissioners Tom Frick, left and Dale Paris, second from left.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Brandon Nicholas, left, and Alexandria Lopez examine the map of the new Samaritan Hospital prior to taking a tour Tuesday night.
Surrounded by Samaritan Healthcare officials, commissioners, construction supervisors and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members, Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan, center, cuts the ribbon at the new Samaritan Hospital Tuesday.
MOSES LAKE — Samaritan Healthcare District patrons got their first look at the new Samaritan Hospital Tuesday with tours of the building, a ribbon-cutting and a champagne toast.
“I am proud to tell you we delivered it on time and on budget,” said Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan.
The hospital will open for patient care March 7. A community open house is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Tours of the facility will be available.
Hospital commissioners originally authorized the construction of a new hospital in 2018. The project was about to be advertised for construction bids when the COVID-19 pandemic put the new hospital on hold, and it stayed on hold until 2023.
District patrons approved a $130 million construction bond to pay part of the cost in April 2023. Sullivan said the bond approval was crucial to getting the new hospital finished.
“Without that tax support, we would not be here today,” Sullivan said. “Thank you.”
The long delay substantially raised costs. Alan White was on the hospital commission when its members approved the project in 2018 and when they rejected a potential contract in 2022 due to the increase in costs.
“I’m grateful for the community support. And for people willing to tax themselves for a facility like this,” White said. “It’s a great day for the community.”
The new hospital can accommodate 50 patients, the same as the existing hospital. The new facility will be able to offer more options for patients who need specialty care, White said.
The new hospital sits on 55 acres, much bigger than the existing hospital site, and provides plenty of room for expansion, Sullivan said.
“This is the beginning,” she said.
Samaritan community open house
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Brandon Nicholas, left, and Alexandria Lopez examine the map of the new Samaritan Hospital prior to taking a tour Tuesday night.
Surrounded by Samaritan Healthcare officials, commissioners, construction supervisors and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce members, Samaritan Chief Executive Officer Theresa Sullivan, center, cuts the ribbon at the new Samaritan Hospital Tuesday.