Augusta Health ‘tops out’ heart and vascular center

Augusta Health ‘topped out’ the steel structure of its new Heart and Vascular Center by raising and installing a final beam filled with signatures and messages from employees and patients.

“Seven months ago, we gathered on this spot to dig down, to break ground for our new Heart and Vascular Center. Today, we reach up with the last beams of the steel structure as this building reaches it full height,” said Rev. John Peterson, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Augusta Health. “In this ceremony we recognize the strong foundation and solid framework, not just for this structure, but for all the good work that will be done within it in the years to come.”

Augusta Health’s Heart and Vascular Center, scheduled for completion in early 2013, will include two cardiac catheterization labs, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym, non-invasive cardiac testing such as nuclear medicine and stress tests and offices.

“For the past month, employees and patients have signed and left messages on the last beams we’re raising today,” added Mary Mannix, FACHE, and CEO of Augusta Health. “They are messages of hope and messages of thanks. They are a small indication of the real ‘heart’ here because while the building is steel and concrete and glass, the real heart of the Heart Center is the people inside it. The signatures and messages bond the real heart of the building to its structure.”

The day was also a celebration of quality care and Augusta Health’s award as a 100 Top Hospital.  The hospital was recognized for exceeding national benchmarks in all areas of care.  Augusta Health was also recently named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades.  Only 16 hospitals in the United States were named to both lists.

Augusta Health is an independent, nonprofit community hospital whose mission is to promote the health and well-being of our community through access to excellent care.  Named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters in both 2011 and 2012, Augusta Health has also been nationally recognized by HealthGrades for clinical excellence and patient safety.