Foundation to Help Support Hospital's 21- Bed Expansion

The population of Thurston County has grown by 22% over the last ten years.  Providence St. Peter Hospital has seen admissions grow at a similar rate.  Thurston County has been one of the fastest growing counties in Washington State.  Due to population trends, PSPH can no longer accommodate the demand for in-patient admissions.  This means local residents traveling greater distances to have medical care.

Hospital leadership is addressing the issue by implementing a two-year patient bed expansion plan starting in 2011.  The plan adds an additional 21-beds and associated infrastructure.  The expansion project will benefit the entire hospital as these beds can be used for many levels of care.  The new unit will be located on the second floor, in an area that was "shelled in" for patient beds as part of a hospital expansion completed in 1985. Offices and services that are now located in that area will relocate.

The Foundation Board has approved a commitment of $1.25 million dollars to support this vital campus expansion project.   The project funding comes from a variety of sources including, debt financing, hospital operating budgets for the next three years, and generous philanthropic support from the community.   The foundation will meet its obligation of support through outright donor contributions, a portion of Christmas Forest proceeds, and some current unrestricted funds.

Medrice Coluccio, CEO for Southwest Washington Service Area said, "We are grateful for the support of our foundation and the Providence System in this project. This is going to be a wonderful addition for our patients. The total project will be completed just in time for our 125th anniversary, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate.  I am very grateful to all those who have been involved in the diligent planning for this project. It is going to be a wonderful gift to our community."

According to Nancy Riordan, foundation executive director fundraising for this project begins this fall with the annual Providence employee campaign. "We hope that our loyal employees will collectively sponsor one of the new patient suites. They did something similar when the Emergency Center expanded seven years ago. They are committed to making a difference in this project."  Other foundation funding efforts for the expansion will occur in the last quarter of this year and throughout 2011.