HCMH Unveils the New Look of Quality Care on November 22. Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital unveiled “The New Look of Quality Care” to the community on Sunday, November 22, 2009. The major renovation and expansion of the hospital includes a new Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, Regional Heart and Lung Center and Patient Tower. The new facilities boast state-of-the-art equipment, operated by Hugh Chatham’s very own specially trained personnel. We invite you to view the photos below to learn more about the New Look of Quality Care at HCMH. The Regional Cancer Center Open House and Ribbon Cutting was held Sunday, October 18th. Future ER, ICU, and Patient Tower   Now more than fifty percent complete,bricks and mortar don the structure of the future ER, ICU, and Patient Tower.The top-notch construction team keeps the project ahead of schedule and on budget. A December ‘09 ribbon cutting ceremony and open house is being planned for the community.   Regional Cancer Center Construction Moves Forward       Due to increased market share, HCMH is adding a Linear Accelerator that will enable treatment of more patients, more efficiently. The Regional Cancer Center at Hugh Chatham will remain in the same convenient location with easy access, close to home. Scheduled to open its new patient treatment area in July 2009, the project is more than 60% complete.     ER, ICU, and Patient Tower Construction Progresses Additional space, state-of-the-art equipment, and modern amenities characterize the Hospital’s largest building project in its history. Slated to open in December 2009, the project is progressing timely.
	New ER Entrance Map - Click Here Construction of New Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit and Patient Tower Began June 9, 2008.

Topping Off: Hospital Places Final Steel Beam in Construction Project

In a ceremony held at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, the final steel beam was placed in the organization’s $48 million project to add a new Emergency Room, Intensive Care Unit, and Patient Tower. Medical staff, employees, board members, and construction crew signed the 300 lb. beam, then gathered on the site to watch as it was hoisted into place by crane. As the pinnacle of the event, Chief of Staff Dr. Skip Whitman and Chairman of the Board Mike Stanley, were harnessed and raised to the beam to tie on the Hugh Chatham flag. More than 100 onlookers applauded the ceremonial “topping off”. Many of these had attended the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on June 26th.

In building construction, “topping off” is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. Often, flags or streamers are tied atop the beam. Longtime a common practice in Europe, topping off gained popularity in the United States in the 19th century, and remains as a milestone practice today.

Those present commented about feeling part of the project as their signatures will be forever etched into the construction of the Hospital. Chairman of the Board Mike Stanley said, “This is history making-- all of us take great pride in our Hospital and we were honored to celebrate our progress in a very momentous occasion.”

Construction on the new ER, ICU, and Patient Tower is scheduled for completion in December of 2009. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at a date to be announced. The public will be invited to this event.

Cancer Center Update

The Week of October 6th marked the beginning of construction for the expansion of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital’s Regional Cancer Center.

HCMH Groundbreaking Ceremony - June 26, 2008

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new emergency room, intensive care unit and patient tower was held on June 26, 2008.