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A construction groundbreaking was held Dec. 19 at AllianceHealth Madill.
A moment four years in the making occurred Dec. 18 as two dozen people gathered at a construction groundbreaking ceremony at Alliance Health Madill. Both hospital staff and community members watched as a group of dignitaries performed the ceremonial moving of dirt.
During the next 20 months, the facility will undergo Phase 1 and Phase 2 of three phrase renovation.
The event opened with a prayer by Rick Lane of the hospital foundation board. Also speaking were Tracy Byers, (Chief Administrative Officer – Madill), Kevin Samrow (Chief Administrative Officer-Durant), Sam Huffman, (Board of Control Chairman), Scott Landgraf, (Board of Trustees Chairman) County Commissioner Don “Salty” Melton and Dr. John Conley.
Samrow said the planned improvements to the hospital is a commitment to the quality healthcare.
Meanwhile, Huffman said he was very appreciative of everyone in attendance. Huffman spoke of Marshall County residents in the 1960s who had the foresight to have healthcare close to home and how this trend continued into the 1980s.
“Around then, the penny sales tax started,” he said. “We got good equipment but during that time the building has gotten old. This is an exciting day for Madill and the hospital’s 100 employees.”
Landgraf focused his comments on some recent praise he received from a patient who stayed at the hospital.
“She said she’d never stayed at a place better,” he said. “And she was talking about the people. I want to thank the employees. I’m here to celebrate.”