By Rod Bacon
On June 19, approximately 100 hospital staff and community members attended a groundbreaking ceremony for an addition to the Glens Falls Hospital’s Sheridan Emergency Department.
The new structure, being built by the CG Construction Group of Saratoga Springs, will add 7,500 square feet to the existing 25,000-square-foot department. The addition will occupy the former space of the ambulance entrance, which was adjacent to the helicopter landing pad. It will push everything approximately 50 feet to the north.
“Glens Falls Hospital touches people in many ways,” said President and CEO Paul Scimeca. “In fact, it hard to find somebody who’s life hasn’t been touched by an experience at the hospital, much of which happens in the Emergency Department. A family member — a parent or a child — has needed to come to us at a time in need. When they’re vulnerable, when they’re scared, when they need help to figure out what goes on next and how that care really gets provided. All of that happens every day, every minute in the Sheridan Emergency Department, and this project will help us do that in a better way than we do it today.”
One of the most significant changes will be the installation of a dedicated CT scanner, which is a high resolution diagnostic tool. The hospital has several CT scanners but they are not near the Emergency Department and it takes 10-15 minutes for the department’s physicians to get results. With the dedicated scanner results will be available in minutes.
“This is really the standard of care now, especially with our population where we have patients who need diagnostic services very quickly,” Scimeca said. “For example, for a patient who we suspect is having a stroke or some other kind of neurological event it is critically important to have that scan completed quickly so we can determine if they’re having an event and what kind it is because that will dictate the treatment and the possible need to transfer them to a higher level of care, perhaps in Albany. It’s important to give the physicians the tools they need to make a quick and accurate diagnosis.”
The expanded department will require that a different staffing model will need to be implemented. This will include more nurses and patient care technicians who are specifically dedicated to emergency care.
Scimeca noted that while some Emergency Departments are experiencing a decrease in patient visits, Glens Falls Hospital will continue to have an increase, which is driven by the aging of the region’s population.
“There are predictions that in some places in the state and country the population that is older than 65 will exceed the population under 18 in the next five years,” said Scimeca. “For us, that happened several years ago.”
Glens Falls Hospital serves Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga counties, and because of the scope of services it provides they get patients from Clinton County in New York and Western Rutland and Bennington counties in Vermont.
“This is one of the most sophisticated Emergency Departments in the region, and patients who have particularly critical needs will be drawn to this department,” Scimeca said.
The project is being done in phases and the first phase will include the expansion of the behavioral health area. The hospital has a 13-bed unit specifically for adults and adolescents with behavioral health issues that is staffed by dedicated caregivers trained in addressing things like emotional, mental, or dysregulation problems as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
The $25 million project, with a completion goal of the end of 2026, is being funded by public funds and donations from private citizens. The New York State Department of Health provided $15 million because, according to Scimeca, the governor’s office recognizes the critical role the hospital plays in the region’s health care spectrum.
A Signature Lead Gift of $3 million has been pledged by the Sheridan Family Foundation.
Lead Gifts include $2.25 million from The Hoopes Family Foundation; $1 million from the Charles R. Wood Foundation; and $1 million from Susan Conley Salice in honor of Joe and Theresa Conley and Family.
Major Donors, which include six-figure gifts under $1 million, are Arrow Bank, Centers Health Care, Michael B. and Kathryn G. Clarke, Glens Falls Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Jay Grossman, The Miles Hodsdon Vernon Foundation, Inc., Matthew and Betsy Montesi-North Country Janitorial, Inc., William & Lisa Powers, The Sagamore Resort, The Sandy Hill Foundation, Paul J. Scimeca, William & Joanne Stock, and Stewart’s Shops/The Dake Family.
The hospital’s medical staff has pledged $50,000.
“We have been incredibly humbled that the community has jumped in to support this project,” Scimeca said.
The Emergency Department was established over 30 years ago through the efforts and financial support of David S. and Janet R. Sheridan. Sheridan was the inventor of the disposable plastic endotracheal tube, which is now used routinely in surgery.
“My parents chose the Emergency Department because it’s one of the places that serves the greatest number of people in the hospital’s coverage area,” said Davene Sheridan Brown, one of four Sheridan children.
In 2000, the Sheridan Family Foundation was launched to help ensure that the Emergency Department remains viable into the future. Since 1986 the Sheridan family has contributed $5.5 million to the hospital.
“We have been so humbled by the partnership with the Sheridan family and particularly with Davene Sheridan Brown,” Scimeca said. “We understand their fondness for the hospital and fond memories of their dad’s association with it, and what it meant to him and the community. We honor that relationship and recognition because we couldn’t be doing what we’re doing without their support. We cherish that relationship and thank them for their support.”
In addition to the CG Construction Group as general contractor, the following regional companies are contributing their skills to the Emergency Department expansion: plumbing, BPI; mechanical piping, RF Gordon; electric fire alarm, Brownell Electric; flooring, Northeast Commercial Interiors LLC; sprinkler, Absolute Fire Protection; HVAC, Monahan Metals; fire alarm controls, Johnson Controls; HVAC controls, Eastern Heating and Cooling; excavation/sitework, E & T O’Connor; concrete/masonry, AJ Catalfamo Construction; interior finishes, Precise Painting & Wallcovering, Inc; architecture, Optimus Architecture;
The fundraising efforts are still underway. To make a gift go to www.AnyDayAnyTimeAnyOne.org or www.albanymed.org/glens-falls-hospital-foundation/.
Checks should be made payable to the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, 126 South St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. A notation should be made that it’s for the Sheridan Emergency Room Campaign.