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FT. CAMPBELL, KY – The newly renovated Women’s Health Clinic at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital officially opened its doors with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, March 4.
BACH commander Col. Paul R. Cordts thanked the more than 4,000 patients seen monthly and the sixty-three Women’s Health Clinic staff members for their patience while the renovations took place. Both patients and staff overcame tighter working and patient care space in temporary buildings during the past year while the permanent clinic location was being improved.
“I commend both the staff and patients for your efforts in working around these obstacles, keeping up your morale and ultimately making the temporary location a positive experience and happy occasion for the soon–to-be proud new parents,” said Cordts.
Cordts explained that the renovated 28,000-square-foot clinic will offer much more space for patients and staff.
“You will no longer be dealing with a tight space and running labs [laboratory samples] back and forth across the street. You and your team will have room to accommodate Families, their strollers and other personal items. Providers will be working closely together in one of three group practice rooms that will allow for provider teams to communicate more effectively about their patients’ care.”
Obstetric patients will benefit from the breastfeeding room, 3-D ultrasound room, an education room and the group appointment space offered through the Centering Pregnancy Program.
Chief of the Women’s Health Clinic Lt. Col. Marshall Malinowski spoke about how he and his team worked closely with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and the design teams to implement a patient-centered medical home concept within their specialty service. Many components of the medical home concept were included in the renovation, such as the three large group practice rooms, which allow for better communication among providers and their teams.
Malinowski opened his remarks to staff, patients and distinguished guests with “Welcome to the Beach.” Malinowksi and his team took great pride in selecting comforting themes, such as beach themed artwork, and colors for their patients to experience while receiving women’s health care. In addition, Women’s Health Clinic patients and staff are showcased in large framed photographs throughout the hallways signifying the patient is the center of care team.
Highlighting the focus on patients, Staff Sgt. Steven Merna and his wife Katie helped the hospital commander cut the ceremonial ribbon today. The Merna’s are the proud parents of two babies born while the clinic was under renovation. Katie began her prenatal care in the pre-renovated Women’s Health Clinic with her daughter Anabella, but due to the renovation, she completed her prenatal care in the temporary modular location adjacent to hospital. After the Merna’s daughter was born, they soon discovered they were expecting another child. This time Katie received all of her prenatal care for her son, Roman, within the temporary location.
“I was here before the renovation and then they transferred me over to the modular facilities so they could renovate. Seeing this, honestly, I’m a little jealous. I love their client rooms and their patient rooms are beautiful,” said Katie Merna.
Following the ribbon cutting, Cordts concluded the event by thanking both patients and staff who attended the ceremony.
“I would like to personally thank you for your patience and understanding as our team has worked around temporary facilities to provide you and your Family an experience that you will treasure for a lifetime,” said Cordts. “With the completed renovation, we are grateful to offer your prenatal care in a peaceful and comforting environment along with compassionate service. We serve to heal and are truly honored to serve.”
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