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"Construction to Begin at the Indian River Medical Center, Thanks to
Foundation"
Construction will begin in the months ahead for a new Surgical Intensive Care
Unit and Post Anesthesia Care Unit at Indian River Medical Center (IRMC) with
funding provided by Indian River Medical Center Foundation. This $15-million
project is the third phase of a master facility plan expansion at the medical
center funded entirely through philanthropy from the community.
The Indian River Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors voted unanimously
at their December 2010 meeting to proceed with the project, after having
received a formal request from the IRMC Board to fund the project as soon as
possible to meet the ever increasing healthcare needs of the community.
The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) will expand the nationally acclaimed
critical care services at IRMC to meet growing intensive care patient needs and
enhance patient safety. The Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU or 'Recovery Room')
will grow from the current 9-bed unit to 27 beds. Every patient who has surgery
at IRMC goes directly from surgery to either the SICU or PACU, depending upon
the type of procedure.
C. B. (Jack) Rogers, chairman of Indian River Medical Center Foundation said,
"The Foundation exists to provide support to enhance patient care at IRMC. Our
ability to fund projects like this is a reflection of the generosity of our
donors. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, we are thrilled to be
able to make this investment, one that will impact all members of our community.
All of us look forward to seeing a shovel in the ground and the beginning of
construction over the next few months."
Philanthropy has had a major impact on Indian River Medical Center in the last
six years. In 2005, IRMC opened a 42-bed ER made possible through donor funding.
Since the new ER opened, more than 250,000 patients have been treated. In 2006,
The Heart Center, in affiliation with Duke University Health System, opened to
the public thanks to philanthropy. It is among the top performing heart centers
in the United States. Each project cost $15 million and both were fully funded
through philanthropy.
Jeffrey Susi, president/CEO of IRMC, recognized the role the Foundation has
played for the medical center with his comments, "Healthcare for our region has
been transformed in recent years, thanks to philanthropy. I am grateful for the
extraordinary generosity of the donors who have positively impacted nearly every
area within the medical center in recent years."
Over the 20-month construction period, this $15-million
project will contribute to the local economy through construction-related jobs
and the purchase of materials. The location of the expansion will be on the
north (37th Street) side of the hospital.
The goal of The 21st Century Campaign for Indian River Medical Center is $50
million with the final $5 million phase to fund a Patient Care Services
Pavilion, where patients can conveniently access the full array of diagnostic,
testing and treatment services. This final phase of the current IRMC master
facility plan will enhance the patient and family experience for same-day
admission and a wide variety of outpatient care services including laboratory
services, CT scanning, MRI scanning, X-ray, ultrasound and advanced cardiology
diagnostics.
Indian River Medical Center Foundation is dedicated to raising funds to support
capital improvements, advanced technology and special programs for the medical
center. The most significant of the ongoing programs is the Patient Advocates,
who are on duty 24/7/365 to provide non-clinical support and assist with the
transfer of information among patients and their families during an ER
experience. Donors who give $10,000 or more to the Foundation are considered
members of the Eagle Society, now boasting more than 1,500 member households
and businesses.
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