Related Stories ROCKERS CARE: THROUGH NOV. 15, GUITAR CENTER IS HOSTING A FOOD DRIVE--BRING SOME NONPERISHABLE FOOD AND GET 10 PERCENT OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE! (11/5/2009) • A calendar of events coming up in the Fredericksburg area Public invited as Germanna Foundation celebrates 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall (11/4/2009) • Public invited as Germanna Foundation celebrates 20th anniversary of the Berlin Wall's fall Sources say Germanna placed dean on leave (11/2/2009) • Germanna dean of arts and sciences placed on administrative leave during probe of improper conduct Hospice gala brings in $55,000 (11/1/2009) • Hospice holds major fundraiser Germanna probes sexual harassment allegation (10/30/2009) • Germanna dean previously fired for sexual harassment under investigation for similar claim here TALK BACK (10/30/2009) • Talkback: Who/what is your favorite vampire? Refuge tracts to temporarily close for hunting (10/29/2009) • Refuge tracts to temporarily close for hunting Projects make a difference (10/18/2009) • Make a Difference Day is Saturday NAMES & NOTES (10/18/2009) • Names & Notes Military Notes (10/13/2009) • Military Notes NEW FOUND GLORY 'FIGHT' SEEMS LOST (10/9/2009) • New Found Glory seems to have lost originality on latest album Web chat put focus on health (10/8/2009) • MediCorp CEO Fred Rankin answers questions on health care Bloggers question supervisor candidates at forum (10/6/2009) • Bloggers debate draws good crowd of candidates Dangerous depression: The warning signs (10/6/2009) • Depression and suicide: Oct. 8 is National Depression Screening Day. By Kevin B. Handley. VDOT seeks comments on its plans to improve U.S. 29 (10/5/2009) • Traffic signal optimizations planned for Route 3 Opening up a dialogue on depression, suicide (10/2/2009) • Panel to address suicide, depression and bipolar disorder REV IT UP: SATURDAY, HEAD TO CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT SPOTSY COURTHOUSE FOR THE EIGHTH ANNUAL CAR SHOW: CLASSIC CARS, FOOD AND MORE! INFO: 540/785-4451. FREE TO LOOK! (10/1/2009) • A calendar of events coming up in the Fredericksburg area 'Pillar talk': Sweeter with political vision (10/1/2009) • Looking forward during this economic challenge for the Fredericksburg region, by Charles W. Payne STEVE PRZEPIORA (9/30/2009) • The Deal: Steve Przepiora, Dshane Professional Carpet Care Pedestrians might find Lafayette friendlier someday (9/28/2009) • Will the new Bragg Road in Spotsylvania have two lanes or four? ACADEMIC EPIDEMIC >> Schools respond to concerns over H1N1 spread (9/25/2009) • Schools react to threat of swine flu Germanna seeks local money (9/23/2009) • Germanna Community College president makes plea for local funds for new academic building on Massaponax campus Kappas start mentoring JM student-athletes (9/22/2009) • Service fraternity mentors academically at-risk high school athletes Career, technical center eyed by Orange schools (9/21/2009) • Orange schools move forward on tech center 'TO READ OR NOT TO READ' (9/20/2009) • Review of "Soul of the Age" by Jonathan Bates FANS FEEL SCROOGED BY NEW 'HUMBUG' CD (9/11/2009) • Arctic Monkeys lose their signature sound in latest album LADYHAWKE ELECTRIFIES ON NEW CD (9/11/2009) • Ladyhawke offers unique mix and spin on pop CUTS HITTING LOCALLY (9/9/2009) • kaine announces cuts Local grant intended to halt under age drinking (8/30/2009) • Bragg Hill Family Life Center gets $10,000 grant to prevent underage drinking in the Fredericksburg area ID theft: Victims are often students (8/27/2009) • College students need to protect their personal information from identity thieves.

A NEW HOSPITAL IN SPOTSY, A NEW ERA FOR OUR COMMUNITY

A new hospital for Spotsylvania, a new day for the community

Date published: 3/1/2009

IF A VILLAGE can raise a child, it might also be said that a hospital can raise up a community. In the spring of 2010, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center will open its doors as HCA Virginia's new facility and begin to do just that for the Rappahannock region.

With 126 beds and a wide range of clinical services and programs, SRMC will enhance the quality of life for many people in many ways. One of the more visible will be economic development, where SRMC's long-term impact will be a welcome and steadying influence during tumultuous financial times. Our facility not only will generate 400 well-paying jobs whose payroll approaches $26 million, it also will attract new physicians who are eager to practice medicine in the kind of advanced clinical environment SRMC will offer.

The purchasing power of our employees and affiliated physicians will in turn support local businesses and fuel the creation of private-sector jobs, possibly in equal numbers to our work force. Indeed, with about 300 contractors and subcontractors working on our construction site, this benefit is in evidence.

Finally, our hospital will generate substantial tax dollars--an estimated $1.5 million a year--that fund vital community services, and, as do other HCA Virginia facilities, it will serve as a safety net by providing free care to those who can't afford health insurance. We will also reach out to worthwhile community organizations with financial and in-kind contributions exemplified by the $50,000 already donated to Germanna Community College.

While our role as an economic catalyst and community advocate is assured, so too is the priority we will place on clinical excellence. From a bar-code-scanning system that prevents medication errors, to the location and design of our nursing stations, to our "paperless" environment, SRMC will offer patients and physicians the latest features in hospital architecture, equipment, and operation.

The standard for care at SRMC has already been set at a high level by our 12 sister campuses in Virginia. In fact, a large health insurer recently evaluated Virginia's acute-care hospitals based on their patient outcomes and related quality criteria. Significantly, seven of the 10 highest-ranked hospitals were operated by HCA Virginia.

Another benefit will be the introduction of choice and competition. When our doors open, the Rappahannock Region, served so ably for so long by MediCorp's Mary Washington Hospital, will have two health systems from which to choose. As in other sectors, health care competition has advantages in the marketplace: It fosters innovation, raises the bar on quality, and helps control costs.

As the countdown to our opening begins, I am delighted that an outstanding group of individuals is already working hard behind the scenes. Three years ago SRMC was barely a dream. Today, it is taking shape before our eyes on a 58-acre campus just off Interstate 95.

2010 will be here before we know it, and with it will come a new hospital that will change the future of health care delivery in the Rappahannock region.

Tim Tobin is chief executive officer of Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

Follow us on

Date published: 3/1/2009

Most recent reader comments: