Crowd turns out to see new hospital wing

COLDWATER - Large crowds turned out Sunday to get a look at the newly constructed Sanderell Family West Wing at Mercer County Community Hospital.

People waited almost 30 minutes just to get inside before they waited a few minutes more while they were divided into groups for guided tours of the $24 million addition, which opens Oct. 22.

"The new Sanderell Family West Wing includes a new surgical center on the third floor, new private inpatient rooms on the second floor and an all-new outpatient center on the first floor, including our new dining space and atrium," said Mindy Kremer, senior director of development, marketing and community relations.

The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and short program at noon attended by about 200 guests. Tours began at 2 p.m. and by 4 p.m. at least 1,000 visitors had come through, Kremer said.

"They weren't sure quite what to expect," said Mercer Health CEO Lisa Klenke. "A lot of people think it's much bigger on the inside once they have gotten in here."

Kremer said remarks she heard from visitors had been very positive.

"People are so thankful, and feeling so blessed that we are able to continue to enhance the quality of healthcare services here locally. Throughout the country, it's not a secret that a lot of small, rural hospitals are closing because they don't have the support of their community," Kremer said. "We're so very blessed with the people who want to continue to care for their community. They have those servant hearts and hands that want to be able to provide those healthcare services."

Throughout the building people gazed with wide eyes at the new look of the hospital. Neighbors greeted neighbors as they recognized one another in line or in other groups touring the new wing. Klenke seemed unsurprised by the large crowds.

"It's probably what we had hoped for, that the community could come out to see their hospital, take advantage of the day and enjoy the opportunity to see some spaces they'll never have the opportunity to see again," she said.

Kremer said the new wing reflects the quality of the community.

"For us, we often say we're so blessed because we have such great manufacturing and we have such great education. People want to come back to the community and so our community continues to thrive because we have all these pillars that make good quality of life, good healthcare, good education and a good place to work," she said.

Klenke said many people were involved in planning, constructing and putting the finishing touches on the facility since the Sept. 26, 2016, groundbreaking.

"I am most proud of all of the teamwork that went into building the facility, and really making it patient-friendly, family-friendly and a nice asset for the community," she said.