Stafford Hospital Center had its ceremonial ribbon-cutting this morning, then, within minutes, treated its first patient.
Mary Grey, 75, walked into the emergency room complaining of abdominal pain. Her husband and son were with her.
The family lives in Aquia Harbour and decided it would be quicker to drive to the new U.S. 1 hospital rather than continue south to Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg.
Stafford Hospital officials expect many other patients to do the same thing now that the region has two hospitals.
At 8 a.m., a select group of hospital workers cut the ribbon for the 100-bed facility. Just before 9 a.m. hospital President Walt Kiwall climbed inside the cab of an ambulance parked near the entrance.
His radio message was broadcast to the roughly 150 fire and rescue people on duty throughout Stafford.
“We are now open for patient transports,” Kiwall said.
The crowd that had gathered around him gave a cheer. By 10 a.m., two other patients, in addition to Grey, had walked into the ER.
Jim Hall: 540/374-5433
jhall@freelancestar.com