Crossroads breaks ground on expansion

  MT. VERNON — The $20 million expansion of Crossroads Community Hospital officially broke ground on Tuesday. “I can’t tell you how moved I am to see all my friends, co-workers and the community here to celebrate with Crossroads Community Hospital,” CEO Ed Cunningham said. “This is a dream we have worked on for almost 23 years.”

 Cunningham said Earl Elliston, known as “Mr. Crossroads” worked diligently on a master plan that included the expansion which is now under way.
 
“I’m sure he’s up there looking down, as proud as can be,” Cunningham added.

 The expansion will connect the northern-most and southern-most wings of the hospital and the area known as the courtyard will be filled with a modern, three-story structure which extends eastward. All ancillary departments will move to the front of the building, near the emergency and surgery departments, according to information from Crossroads Community Hospital. Cunningham said during the construction, the patients and visitors to the hospital will see changes to the entrances. “It’s like having a child,” Cunningham said.

“You have to go through nine months. What you get is more than worthwhile.” Hoard Construction has been chosen as the lead contractor on the project, and Cunningham said it was important to choose as many local subcontractors as possible. “We want to help build our community as well,” Cunningham said. Local subcontractors include Lipps Construction, Clinton Electric, Rend Lake Plumbing and Jax Asphalt. “The winds are changing in Mt. Vernon,” said Tom Miller, Division V vice president of operations for Community Health Systems Inc. “The strength of a hospital is always the people. Our Mission Statement is to provide quality, compassionate and cost effective health care to the community.

The people we are taking care of, what we haven’t done which is part of the Mission Statement, is create an environment for the people.” Those commenting on the expansion also included Kathy Withers, the chairperson of the CCH board of trustees; Dr. Jackie Treschuk-Bahn, chief of staff; Mayor Mary Jane Chesley; Rob Knutson, representing the Jefferson County Board; and Sen. John O. Jones. “We hope to see you back here in a few months when we cut the ribbon for our grand opening and walk into our beautiful new facility,” Cunningham stated.

By TESA CULLI 
tesa.culli@register-news.com
The Mt. Vernon Register-News
Wed Apr 27, 2011, 05:30 AM CDT