A groundbreaking ceremony for the planned expansion and renovation project will be held April 8 at 1:30 on the Bluffton Hospital campus. The event is open to the public.
A general contractor, Charles Construction Services of Findlay, has been chosen for the $12 million project.
The project will create new, much needed space for Bluffton Hospital’s emergency and surgery departments, as well as add professional/medical office space.
“This is one of the most significant investments Blanchard Valley Health System and the community are making in Bluffton Hospital to ensure continued local access to quality health services. This reinvestment of funds in the community is significant to BVHS’ mission: to provide a broad continuum of exceptional health related services in Northwest Ohio,” said Bill Watkins, Bluffton Hospital Chief Administrative Officer.
The current emergency and surgery departments were built in 1988. The ER was constructed to be able to accommodate 3,600 patients each year; in 2009 the ER cared for more than 5,500 patients. The surgery department was built to accommodate 750 patients per year; more than 2,000 surgeries took place in 2009. In addition, there is a shortage of professional office space, especially for physicians’ offices, and cannot accommodate the growing number of medical specialties in the village.
The expansion/renovation will create an emergency department that will be able to care for more than 7,000 patients per year, focusing on more private treatment areas. An expanded surgery department will be able to accommodate more than 2,500 surgeries per year. Also, a new emergency and surgery registration and support area to accommodate patient identification and privacy.
“We are particularly grateful to the James and Isabelle West family for their lead gift, to Ropp and Mary Emma Triplett for being the capital campaign co-chairs, to those who’ve generously given to support this effort, and to our hospital associates, medical staff, and auxiliary who not only provide time and talent to the hospital, but continue to support the project with their gifts as well,” said Watkins. “It has been a successful campaign and I am sure others will want to be part of this project by helping complete our goal.”
More than $916,000 has been donated by Bluffton Hospital associates, physicians and community members toward the $1 million goal set by the Blanchard Valley Health Foundation.
“At nearly 92 percent of the goal, we are on the home stretch. Now is the perfect time to make a contribution to the campaign,” said Linda DeArment, Blanchard Valley Health Foundation Chief Development Officer. “How exciting to think that we may reach the $1,000,000 goal at the same time we turn that first shovelful of dirt!”
The Isabelle West Family pledged the lead gift to the project in honor of Mrs. West and her late husband, Mr. James F. West, and their longstanding commitment to Bluffton Hospital and the community.
Bluffton Hospital is a 2009 Ganey Summit Award-winning hospital, one of only 32 hospitals in the United States to receive the national award for sustaining the highest level of customer satisfaction for three or more consecutive years.
Bluffton resident Oscar Velasquez will begin work on his newest mural, View of Yesterday, in the approaching weeks. 
Three second grade students from Bluffton Elementary won a poster contest sponsored by the Allen County Engineers.
