Memorial Health’s Board of Trustees heard an update Wednesday night on a pair of building projects being carried out by the organization.
Memorial CEO Chip Hubbs told the board that the fundraising for a pair of new on-campus buildings is going well. Memorial Hospital will be constructing separate inpatient and outpatient pavilions, at a cost of $50 million.
Hubbs said the Memorial 2020 campaign, which is the fundraising drive for the project, has received $3.3 million in pledges toward its goal of $4 million. More than 500 individual donors have contributed to the project, it was noted.
He said there are also several potential donors still considering gifts and he feels confident the goal is in reach.
The remainder of the project will be funded through cash, bonds and bank financing.
Memorial officials expect ground to be broken for the inpatient tower, which will be located on the east side of the campus, in March.
The outpatient pavilion construction should begin a few months after. The outpatient facility will be located on the west side of the campus, near the existing heart and surgical pavilion.
The trustees also heard an update and viewed drone footage of the new medical office building currently being constructed in Urbana. The $8.3 million facility will be similar to the existing Memorial City Gate building, though it will be smaller.
The trustees were told that the project is on target for an April opening.
Hubbs noted that the facility is being constructed on four acres of land and Memorial owns an adjoining seven acres to meet future medical needs of the Champaign County city.
Hubbs also noted that the health system hosted an event at the Urbana Country Club a few weeks ago for officials from the Champaign County area.
Wednesday’s trustee meeting was the last to be attended by administrative assistant Connie Priday. She is retiring after 32 years at Memorial Hospital.
Priday, who works directly with the hospital administration and board, has served in her current position for 13 years, after serving in other capacities, including human resource manager.
Hubbs said he appreciated the dedication Priday has shown, serving as his administrative assistant for practically his entire tenure.
“You have made the whole board process easy for us,” board chairperson Nikki Conklin added.
Priday echoed her appreciation for Memorial’s leadership. She will be replaced by Kristina Eden.
In other business, the board:
-Selected the health system’s Christmas card design from 15 finalists submitted by Triad fifth and sixth graders.
-Approved various reappointments and modifications of privileges for members of the medical staff.
-Approved a transfer of funds from the Gables capital funds to a contingency fund.
-Voted to send the preliminary 2018 operating budget to the Union County Commissioners for approval.
-Discussed the health system’s operations being named in the Journal-Tribune’s Readers Choice Awards. The hospital was named favorite place to work for the eighth year, Kidz Link was named best childcare for the eighth year, and the Gables was named best longterm care facility for the ninth year.
-Held an executive session to discuss trade secrets of a county hospital and personnel.