Hospital's west wing nearly done

COLDWATER - The new west wing has effectively been turned over to Mercer County Community Hospital officials, with only a few Weigand Construction crew members remaining to work on "punch-list" items.

Mercer Health CEO Lisa Klenke, senior vice president and chief financial officer George Boyles and board of governor members thanked construction superintendent Curtiss Zink on Wednesday for his dedication to the project, presenting him with an award.

Along with pouring his heart and soul into the hospital's expansion project, Zink has proven to be a good member of the community, Klenke said. When a vehicle crashed into a residential building near the intersection of Main Street and Woodview Drive, Zink volunteered to put up plywood so the resident's home wouldn't be open to the elements.

A temporary occupancy permit has been obtained by hospital officials, which indicates construction is virtually complete and allows the hospital staff to begin preparing the space for patient use. Art and signs are being hung in the wing, and Boyles said furniture is expected to arrive next week.

Several open houses for various groups, including first responders and hospital donors, are planned before the opening day of the wing on Oct. 22. A public open house with guided tours of the building is scheduled for Oct. 14.

In other business, Klenke announced that Mercer Health has received a $10,000 grant from Coverys, the hospital's professional liability insurance company. The money will be used to educate clinical staff in Team STEPPS, a set of teamwork tools designed to optimize patient outcomes. The initiative will be rolled out later this year or in early 2019.

Resolutions amending the lines of authority for Mercer Health Home Care and updating a federally required policy regarding emergency medical and labor treatment were also adopted.