River Hospital To Re-Open Operating Room
Officials from the River Hospital and River Hospital Foundation will be holding a press conference/celebration
this Friday, October 27th to announce the beginning of a renovation project to re-open its Operating
Room/Ambulatory Surgery unit. The press conference will begin at 3:00 pm, in the Adult Day Care room.
Congressman John McHugh will be in attendance to discuss the project, and receive recognition from the
Hospital for his role in securing a major portion of the necessary funding; $655,000 from a USDA loan. The
operating room was determined to be obsolete in 2004 and the planning process began to upgrade the
facility. The restoring of OR/Ambulatory procedures reflects the mission of River Hospital to provide all
appropriate services to its community.
The total cost of the project is approximately $1.5 million, and will include relocation of other functions such as
a nursing station and support areas in order to create an ambulatory surgery suite that is maximally efficient
and up-to-date. The “new” Operating Room Suite features a complete renovation of the previously utilized
OR, with a significant expansion of support space including:
- A patient recovery area
- A family waiting area
- Significant upgrades to support functions, such as utility rooms, and workrooms.
- Equipment, ranging from anesthesia machines to individual surgical implements.
Initially the operating room will serve general surgery patients. The project is anticipated to begin in November
2006 and is scheduled to open in April 2007. For the first year of operation (remainder of 2007) approximately
570 patients will be served. After the Ambulatory Surgical project is up to full speed, the hospital anticipates
serving at least 1,600 patients per year from a number of surgical services including gynecology,
ophthalmology, and other surgical specialties.
Also, the River Hospital and Foundation will be making a formal announcement naming the new operating
room after Anthony C. “Tony” Malara, beloved friend, Advisory Board Member, and River Hospital Spokesman
who passed away on August 24, 2006. The Foundation will be presenting the Malara family with a
commemorative gift recognizing the lasting legacy and appreciation for Tony Malara’s devotion and hard work.
Finally, the River Hospital Foundation will officially launch their End of the Year Appeal: The Anthony C.
“Tony” Malara Operating Room Campaign, which will strive to raise $540,000 which is needed to complete the
operating room project.
For more information on the Operating Room Project, please contact Ben Moore, River Hospital CEO at 315-
482-1110. For more information on River Hospital Foundation’s Fundraising efforts, please contact
Jacqualine Costello, Executive Director at 315-482-4976.