By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – An average-looking field on the north side of Wabash attracted over 350 people from all over the region early Thursday afternoon. Workers had spent the last few days erecting a large tent to accommodate local dignitaries and community leaders who gathered on the piece of land directly off Wabash Street. What was so special about an average-looking field? The field is the future site of new Parkview Wabash Hospital and over 20 shovels broke the ground at 12:35 as part of Thursday afternoon’s ceremony.
The new state-of-the-art facility includes an $35 million 80,000 sq. foot hospital and a $6 million 31,000 sq. foot medical building next door. The new facility will add approximately 14 new jobs and is slated to open in 2018. Many of the speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony referenced Wabash being named a Stellar Community, the Honeywell Center, Charley Creek Inn and winning the Small Business Revolution on Main Street competition to say that the town is on a roll.
Michael Packnett, President and CEO of Parkview Health
And Michael Packnett, President and CEO of Parkview Health, told the crowd assembled that the new hospital will just add to that momentum. He added that, in his experience, when a new community hospital is built it’s easier to recruit staff, partner with the respective community and more people decide to receive care.
David Haist, Chairman Parkview Health Board of Directors
Wabash-native David Haist, Chairman of the Parkview Board of Directors.
Marilyn Custer-Mitchell, President of Parkview Wabash Hospital, said that the new state-of-the art hospital will allow the organization to continue to provide excellent care and help create a healthier community. And, she noted, with OB serves returning babies will once again be born in Wabash.
Roger Cromer, Chairman of the Board at Parkview Wabash Hospital.
He added that Wabash Hospital has been working to build a new facility for about five years and that new hospital construction was part of the deal when Wabash Hospital agreed to merge with the Parkview system.
Marilyn Custer-Mitchell, President of Parkview Wabash Hospital
American Health Network’s Dr. Jame Bain told MiBash News about the Parkview system, “Obviously, they are getting things moving which is what the community needs.” He acknowledged to the crowd the realization several years ago that the current facility north of downtown just isn’t going to be adequate moving forward. He then quoted an alarming statistic that rural hospitals are closing at the rate of one per month.
Multiple teams came to the edge of the tent on Thursday to put their shovels in the dirt: leadership and several groups of employees.
The field on which the new hospital will be built.
MiBash News also received a press release on Thursday’s groundbreaking which reads as follows.
“Today leaders from Parkview Health broke ground on a new $35 million hospital in Wabash. The two-story, 80,000 square foot facility will create approximately 14 new jobs in Wabash. The hospital campus will also include a 31,000 square foot medical office building that will be home to Parkview Physicians Group.
“At Parkview, we’re driven by compassion – continually focused on the care of others – and as we continue to grow in Wabash we intend to remain focused on providing the highest level of care and being a provider this community can trust,” said Mike Packnett, President and CEO of Parkview Health. “This is a new chapter for healthcare in Wabash and we couldn’t be more excited to see this hospital come to life.”
Services offered at the new Parkview Wabash Hospital campus include:
- A full-service emergency department with 24/7 expert care
- Helipad for rapid patient transfer by Parkview Samaritan or other medical transport service
- Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, mammography and more)
- Inpatient medical/surgical unit
- Constant Care Unit
- Outpatient lab services
- Sleep Center
- LifeBridge Senior Program
- Cardiac and pulmonary rehab
- Home healthcare and hospice
- Access to Parkview Physicians Group specialty clinics
Enhanced women’s health services, including prenatal, obstetrics, labor and delivery, will also be offered at the new hospital. “We really thought about the community’s needs when we designed this facility,” said Marilyn Custer-Mitchell, President, Parkview Wabash Hospital. “Women’s health was a service area we identified as a growth opportunity, and so far the feedback has been outstanding. The community, as well as our team, is really looking forward to this service expansion.”
The medical office building located on the new campus will house approximately 15 physicians from Parkview Physicians Group. In addition to primary care, specialties include cardiology, pulmonology, podiatry, colon and rectal surgery, gynecology and orthopedics.
“The new Parkview Wabash Hospital and medical office building will bring together modern design and enhanced care delivery options on one campus, allowing our physicians to provide excellent care to every person, every day,” said Marilyn Custer-Mitchell, President, Parkview Wabash Hospital. “As our current hospital approaches 100 years old, fulfilling our promise to give this community a new hospital is an opportunity we at Parkview Wabash have looked forward to for many years.”
The hospital is expected to be complete in 2018.”
