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St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center Breaks Ground for New Hospital
St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center has served the region for over a century in its current location and building. While there have been updates and multiple additions over the years, the present structure is now land-locked and retrofitting is not feasible. "We're providing 21st century medicine in a 20th century building," points out Reed Reyman, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital. "Most health facilities replace at that 50 year mark, or soon thereafter. We've doubled that. The community and our staff need and deserve this. I have the highest regard for our staff at the hospital. They consistently receive top scores in quality health care outcomes while working in circumstances that are less than ideal for healthcare delivery today."
The groundbreaking for the new Hospital and Medical Office Building was held on October 5 with about 250 in attendance, including Senator John Hoeven, Mayor Dennis Johnson and a host of other state dignitaries, as well as community members and hospital staff. During his comments, Hoeven stated that with the robust economy and activity in the area, quality of life must be a focus. He went on to say that healthcare is key to ensuring that quality, and that this new facility is pivotal.
Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), parent company of St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center, was lauded for their commitment to this area and to the new hospital project. They have committed $100 million to it in addition to resources and leadership, to propel the project to a successful completion. Luke Larson, CHI Vice President of Mission Integration, turned the focus back onto the community. "I am humbled by the commitment and perseverance of your state and local leaders, as well as the Hospital Board and Foundation Board members, who all work so determinedly together with the staff and administration at St. Joseph's Hospital to secure this new facility. Individuals and businesses in your area willingly step forward in support and to give of their time, talent and resources. CHI is honored to partner with you."
Mike Lefor, Hospital Board Chair, closed the event with the words, "Together, this is our hospital and our future."
JE Dunn has been selected as the Construction Management team for the project. With over 825 hospitals and hospital projects completed around the nation in the last 10 years, and their recent experience managing the construction of Williston's Mercy Medical Birthing and Surgery Center, JE Dunn is well positioned to successfully move the new St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Office Building forward. An added benefit is that Marc Mellmer, one of the project management leads, is a Dickinson native and was the project manager for the Mercy Williston project. "It's rare that a project manager gets an opportunity to return home and construct a project of this magnitude in his home community of Western North Dakota. We [JE Dunn] are really excited about this facility and project. It's definitely one of the largest, if not the largest, vertical construction projects in terms of size and dollar value that has ever been done in Dickinson. Our recent experience in Williston at Mercy Medical and current experience at the New Williston Recreation Center prepared us for the construction challenges created by the oil boom. My ties to the community have been and will be a huge benefit as we move forward. We are excited to build the project and to be there as a supporter of the area and as a contributor to the local community."
The Medical Office Building, which is interconnected with the hospital, will be built first during Phase 1. It is anticipated that it will be finished by the end of next year. Phase 2, construction of the new hospital will then begin. Construction contractor availability, weather and plan approval will all impact the timeline. A webcam will be on-site during construction. For more information about the new hospital, call 701-456-4746.
Source: St. Joseph's
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