New Reid care center impresses first visitors
People who July 21 and 22 toured the New Reid Hospital’s Outpatient Care Center at 1100 Reid Parkway came away impressed with the warm welcome and its beauty and convenience.
The three-quarter mile guided tour of the New Reid’s Outpatient Care Center, to open Aug. 1, took about an hour.
Some came out to see the Outpatient Care Center before needing its services, and some said they were curious after seeing newspaper coverage. Ruth Stout, 84, Greens Fork, Ind., wanted to find Dr. Eileen Cravens’ office, and her husband, William, wanted to see the cardiology area. “I have a date here on Aug. 3!” he said.
Beautiful, impressive, light, efficient, big, and roomy were ways people described the New Reid, which will replace the 101-year-old Reid Hospital at 1401 Chester Blvd. next year.
“It didn’t seem like a hospital – It seemed like a hotel!” said Kaitlin Sager of Warsaw, Ind. She was visiting her grandparents Linda and Marv Sager of Richmond.
Sue Reagan of Richmond said the layout and relaxed feeling made the biggest impression on her. “I liked the feeling of spaciousness,” Reagan said. “I think if you felt bad or whatever, the atmosphere would make you feel better! … It is light, cheery and new.”
Some were enchanted by the earth-tone colors and tasteful use of art throughout the center. “It was peaceful and calming,” said Linda Sager, who added that would be a comfort if she ever had to visit a loved one there.
Diane Parker, 47, liked the décor, saying it doesn’t look sterile. Parker’s mother, Shirley Parker, 75, and granddaughter, Tiffany Wonsik, 17, agreed. Shirley Parker said she thought the paintings by local artist Alan Patrick were a nice touch. The Parkers and Wonsik are of Richmond.
For Walter Bistline, Richmond, the cloud art suspended in the second floor atrium area left the biggest impression. A photographer, Bistline said he expects some of his work will be displayed in the New Reid one day.
In the radiation and oncology areas, Rabun Bistline said the woodland panel skylight art on the ceiling above several machines was her favorite touch. The skylights are for patients to look at during tests or treatments and look like windows open to the sky – a bright blue view framed by the tops of flowering trees.
Several applauded the room arrangement or flow in the patient care areas. The Hunt Patient Care Center consolidates outpatient services that have historically been scattered throughout the hospital complexes.
Ed and Sue Reagan said the flow from area to area appeared very efficient. And Mark Collins of Richmond said, “They thought ahead. There are a lot nicer waiting rooms, with restrooms in the same area. It’ll be a lot nicer for patients – especially older patients.” Ruth Stout said she was glad for the consolidation of outpatient areas “so you don’t have to walk all over the place.”
Linda Sager liked how the oncology area has its own entrance and exits. “That’s just neat. It seems like you will be able to just get in and out.”
Alice Barker, 74, Richmond, who has been a cancer patient at Reid for four years, said the layout seems easy to follow. “I kind of know where I’ll have to go now,” she said of her August appointment at the New Reid. She said the hospital has come a long way since she worked in admissions in the late 1960s.
Many were impressed with the technology showcased on the tour. Mark Collins said, “They’ve stepped way up on technology. They’ve come into the century we’re in!” Many were amazed at the therapy capabilities. James Jewett of Richmond was wowed by the linear accelerator’s size and cost. Marv Sager of Richmond said he learned that the upgraded CT machine, used in treating cancerous tumors with radiation, could even get images while compensating for a patient’s breathing.
Many felt more comfortable about getting care at the new facility after going on the tour. “I was put at ease,” Linda Sager said. “I don’t want to check in tomorrow, but if I had to, I’d be OK.”
As visitors drove into the parking lot, Reid team members directed them to parking spots and to the tour entrance.
Once inside, staff in neon lime sport shirts -- or black vests and pants and white shirts – kept the groups moving on the tours, which included the patient care center, medical and radiation oncology, outpatient imaging, the breast center, second-floor atrium, Reid Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, diabetic and nutrition education, Richmond Cardiology & Associates, and cardiac catheterization areas.
“They’re proud of what they’ve got here,” James Jewett said. The Sagers said you could tell the workers at the facility Sunday were excited to be there. The Reagans and the Parkers said they were touched by how helpful the people in the parking lot were.
It’s time for a new hospital, several agreed.
“The cost of it – $300 million – is a lot. But we needed a new one,” Sue Reagan said.
James Jewett agreed, saying he figured the area was about ready for a new or an upgraded hospital. William Stout admitted that it took him awhile to get used to the idea of a new hospital. Ruth Stout, who remembers going to the original Reid as early as the 1930s said, “People expect more care now. People want to live longer – I want to live longer!”
The only thing folks pointed out that the New Reid might still need was more drinking fountains. Several asked where they were – near the restrooms in the center of each floor – since the tour route didn’t take visitors directly by any.
