By Karlie Belle Price. 8/01/2011
*References: Boone Examiner
MADISON

Plans to break ground for a new hospital at Boone Memorial may happen sooner than some may think.

Just last month, BMH Board of Trustees unanimously agreed to hire a design-build company that will allow BMH to move forward with building a brand new hospital, with hopes of breaking ground in the Spring of 2012. Mullins said completion of the project is estimated to take 24 months from the time of groundbreaking. The hospital will build the new, separate hospital next door to its existing location. Once the new hospital is completed the original building will be demolished.

“The Board had many discussions as to whether we should remodel the existing hospital versus build a brand new facility, but they all agreed that the community deserves a fresh, new hospital,” said Tommy Mullins, BMH Administrator.

Boone Memorial Hospital first opened its doors in 1964 and has been providing health care to Boone County and the surrounding area ever since. With the philosophy of “People Serving People” - first initiated in the 1960s, BMH has continued to provide personal, quality healthcare on an individual basis and still stands by its current motto - “We Care for Life.”

“Boone Memorial Hospital has always prided itself in treating each patient on a very personal level. Our employees truly “DO” care. Even though we will build a new hospital, our reputation for treating patients like family will hold true in the newer structure. The building itself may change but the same top-notch, experienced staff and quality healthcare will remain,” said Mullins.

Various plans, designs, suggestions and at time even controversy has risen over the past few years. Some of which have placed plans on hold throughout the process. Questions such as...”Do we refurbish the existing structure or completely build a new facility?” “How will we pay for a new hospital?,” and “Where should it be built?”

With any huge project comes differing opinions, however, all parties involved including BMH Administration & employees, all providers, elected county officials, community members, architects, etc agreed that the design should be a suitable, yet affordable, replacement for the hospital that has served Boone County families and surrounding areas for nearly 50 years.

When building a new facility of any kind the big question underlying the excitement, desire and need remains…”HOW MUCH WILL IT COST” and  “HOW DO WE RAISE FUNDS?”

After researching various financial options, members of the Boone County Commission and the BMH Board of Trustees agreed that the best and most viable option was to convert BMH to a 501 C-3 (non-profit) corporation. This would allow the hospital to accept donations from the community, foundations such as the United Way, Benedum, Robert Wood Johnson, etc as well as State and federal government agencies.

Mullins, explained that cost of the new building, complete with additional patient rooms, lab, emergency room and other needed facilities will cost $20 million. Mullins added that this cost does not include purchase of new, state-of-the-art equipment for the new building. After the old Boone Memorial Hospital complex is demolished, the area will eventually become parking.

Mullins is currently the only remaining original employee of Boone Memorial Hospital. He joined the staff as a bookkeeper in May 1964, the same year  the hospital opened its doors and is also the longest running hospital administrator in West Virginia (employed at the same continuous hospital). With such a long history at BMH, it’s no wonder Mullins has put his heart and soul into this project.

“I feel it has been a long time coming, but one that has been much needed. I’m very excited that we are closer to seeing a long-time dream come true, not for me, but for the community. “The Board of Trustees is certain this new design will provide modern, quality medical health care to our citizens,” added Mullins.

Mullins also expressed his gratitude to members of the Boone County Commission.

“I praise their efforts. They have pushed for this ever since they learned of the need for replacement or renovation. The Commission has put into place an operation structure for the new hospital that should last for many years to come,” he said.

Mullins also added that BMH employees have been involved in the process from the get-go.

“They have helped with the design and selection of how the new hospital should look, function and made suggestions to ensure departments have adequate space for future growth. They have spent hours and hours on this project and should be recognized for a wonderful job on the over all looks and design of our facility.” We are all excited to see the finished product,” Mullins concluded.