RHINEBECK, N.Y. >> Northern Dutchess Hospital officials commemorated Wednesday the construction of an 86,500-square-foot expansion with the burying of a time capsule.
A container found in the ground of the hospital campus in 2004 that was concealing some surprising Northern Dutchess Hospital history, said Denise George, the hospital’s president.
“When we were building, doing construction, … we found a copper box that had contents in it that were memorabilia from 1929, when the original hospital was built,” George said. “So we decided, given the heritage of Northern Dutchess and its longevity in the community, that we wanted to honor that.”
In keeping with that tradition, various hospital staff members contributed to the contents of the 2015 capsule that is hoped to be unearthed 50 years from now in 2065. Contents of the capsule include a financial statement, patient registration band, kale salad recipe, newspapers, photos, brochures and written predictions regarding the future of various medical practices in 50 years to name a few.
According to local newspaper clippings from the 1929 capsule, the establishment of Northern Dutchess was expected to become one of the most significant community events for years.
Since Northern Dutchess holds such a position within the community, it was only befitting that the hospital expand to accommodate the needs of patients and new technologies in the medical field. This, among other reasons, is why George said they decided to expand.
“We were living in a 1929 building. It has served us very well over the last 80 plus years; however, it doesn’t accommodate our technology, it is not what patients want and it is not accommodating for our staff,” said George. “So, we recognized that we needed to move into a new space.”
To meet the needs of patients and staff alike, the expansion has a number of new features. There will be 40 new patient rooms and patients will now have private rooms available to them. This will help to mitigate infection and increase patient privacy. The six new operating rooms are larger than the ones in the main building and have capabilities for new technologies. There will even be a hybrid OR that will integrate the surgeon with radiology equipment.
“It was really patient-driven,” said George. “It was what patients need to get safe, efficient, effective care and so, we’re moving in.”
Construction on the expansion is expected to be finished in December, with a tentative move in date of Feb. 13, 2016.
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“Northern Dutchess Hospital expansion plan revision fails to satisfy neighbors,” Nov. 19, 2013
“Rhinebeck community weighs in on Northern Dutchess Hospital expansion plan,” July 2, 2013
