MONTROSE - One year ago, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held marking the start of site work for a new health care facility in Susquehanna County.
Exactly one year after shovels were placed in dirt specially hauled in for that ritual, Endless Mountains Health Systems personnel gathered again at the site with donors and community leaders on Friday - this time standing inside framed-in walls of the new health care facility.
The event was hosted by Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.
"This is a lot of progress in a really short time," said Cabot spokesman George Stark.
Ray Wilmarth, president of the EMHS board of directors, said, "As I stand here today, I'm thrilled to see this much accomplished."
Dr. Joseph Speicher, an EMHS physician, described the excitement of the health care facility staff.
"They are excited for what it means to our community from a whole health care point of view," he said, including physician recruitment.
At the 2011 groundbreaking, EMHS had funding secured for Phase 1 of the project - the hospital facility. Additional funding was needed for the construction of the physicians clinic.
Shortly after the groundbreaking, Cabot announced its $1 million donation to the project, jump-starting a community match challenge in an effort to raise $3 million for the project. Cabot pledged to match up to $1 million in donations between March and July 2011.
The campaign, along with a $1 million grant from the Weinberg Foundation, led to a total of $4.4 million raised towards the construction of the physician's clinic in a four-month timeframe.
Mr. Stark said, "This was all done with the community coming together to make this health care facility. There is no better way to impact a community than with quality healthcare."
Construction of the hospital and physicians' clinic portion of the project is expected to be completed in September.
Mr. Wilmarth said funds are still needed for equipment; and also to begin the project's third phase, which includes the administrative offices, as well as some outpatient services.
The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains acts as the repository for donations made to the EMHS building project. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to The Community Foundation, 270 Lake Ave., Montrose, PA 18801; or visit www.community-foundation.org for information.
Contact the writer: swilson@independentweekender.com