Date: January 19, 2007

Bradford Regional’s “New 116” Opens With Silver Circle Ribbon Cutting Ceremony 

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Friday marked a day of celebration in the 120-year-old history book at Bradford Regional Medical Center as the public got its first look at its new $15 million Outpatient Services Center. “Today we mark this time on our collective calendars, and in the history book of Bradford Regional, as historic,” said BRMC President/CEO George E. Leonhardt during Friday’s ribbon cutting ceremonies. The new five story building on BRMC’s main campus establishes Centers of Excellence in Cancer Care and Cardiology and Oncology and expands other specialty services in Neurology, Rehabilitation Services, Behavioral Health, Surgical Services and Outpatient Services. “What time is it at BRMC?” Mr. Leonhardt asked. “It’s time to step boldly into this new century with a shared vision for the Medical Center that meets and exceeds your expectations for health care.” BRMC officials signed an agreement last fall to become a Regional Clinical Network Member of Roswell Park Cancer Institute of Buffalo. Its cardiology program is in affiliation with Hamot Heart Institute of Erie.

After 15 months of construction, “The New 116” officially opened today. Referring to the street address of the hospital, “The New 116,” is a 65,000 square foot medical building with a new main floor lobby which reorients the hospital’s primary entrance and relocates several hospital departments from off site locations and areas within the hospital to the new location. “When I walked through the building the first time, I was stunned by what I saw,” recalled BRMC Board Chairman Edwin Pecht. “It was like the minutes of the board meetings from the past few years literally had jumped off the pages and landed in this building-right here on this premiere medical campus.” The official explained that the celebration took its name from the “Silver Circle” at BRMC, referring to a group of employees who have served 25 years or more. “Today the Silver Circle serves as a symbol which exemplifies the endurance of the past, the excellence of the present and our expectations for this new century,” he noted.

Today’s ceremony also included comments from BRMC Senior Vice President of Operations Glen Washington; Medical Staff Secretary/Treasurer Peter Vaccaro, MD; and Bradford Hospital Foundation Board Chairman Sandra H. McKinley. In addition, PA State Sen. Joseph B. Scarnati, III, and the Hon. Martin T. Causer, of the PA House of Representatives made presentations.

Mr. Washington thanked BBL Construction and HCP Architects both of Albany, NY for their work on the new center. He also acknowledged that a lot of local efforts made the building what it is. “The building is for the community, and it is right that a lot of the community is in and a part of this building,” Mr. Washington said.

Mrs. McKinley thanked the community for the continuing support of the Foundation’s $6 million “Building the Future” campaign stating, “we have had a tremendous response from the hospital family as well as the community. This day is the highlight of my life in Bradford.”

On behalf of the hospital’s physicians, Dr. Vaccaro acknowledged that it was an honor to represent the BRMC Medical Staff and expressed excitement over the new building. “The Outpatient Services Center will allow our patients more access to state-of-the-art equipment and medical procedures that they may have had to travel out of town for in the past,” Dr. Vaccaro said. Although there were challenges in the planning process, he noted, “We acknowledge that the (hospital’s) Administration had vision and an ongoing commitment to all the patients of the Medical Staff in Bradford.”

Sen. Scarnati complimented the Bradford community and its ability to work together toward a common goal. “Six years ago when I was elected, I acquired 10 counties in my region, and I found that the Bradford community works together,” he said. “Whether it is the hospital, school, university or the city, everyone here works together, and this building is the result of that unity.” Rep. Causer mentioned the strength of affiliations such as Impact Bradford, a community economic initiative through the office of Gov. Ed. Rendell. BRMC’s project is funded through a mix of state funds totaling $3 million as part of Impact Bradford, bond financing and philanthropy. “I am happy to be a part of this exciting day for Bradford and Bradford Regional Medical Center,” the official said. “We are blessed by strong community support through affiliations with the Impact Bradford partnerships.” 

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