For the past 25 years, Wellington Regional Medical Center has been solid and dependable in handling the medical needs of the surrounding community. But as the area has developed, Wellington Regional felt the need to expand with it.
"Wellington is a growth spot in South Florida. Families are moving here in droves," said Lauren LaPonzina Saver, the hospital’s Director of Media Relations. "And as their go-to community hospital, we needed to grow along with them and respond to that need. For example, our emergency room is very busy, it’s running at practically full capacity every day. That’s when you know it’s time to grow."
The solution was a new patient care tower: Wellington Regional, and its parent company, Universal Health Services, Inc. of King of Prussia, Pa., is expanding with the addition of the Alan B. Miller Pavilion, scheduled to open Oct. 3. The $50 million facility is a three-story, 103,000 sq. ft. building that attaches to the north face of the existing hospital. It will add 80 all-private rooms to the Medical Center, increasing the total hospital capacity to 233 licensed beds. Saver commented, "This new Pavilion will help alleviate congestion, and it gives all of the hospital’s first-rate medical programs a little more breathing room."The new facility will have an antepartum unit (for expectant mothers who require close observation prior to delivery), which will complement Wellington’s already-in-place, already up-and-running Level 3 NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), which is the highest level attainable for a NICU. The Pavilion will further support other programs as well, like orthopedics, neurology, and oncology.
"This is an expansion of our existing hospital, so it gives us a lot more room to provide first-class care in a number of medical specialties," Saver said, "particularly orthopedics and maternity services."
In addition, Saver said, the Pavilion will provide patients with a greatly enhanced overall patient encounter. "Going to the hospital is not something people necessarily look forward to. But when I first stepped inside this new Pavilion, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It looks like the Ritz Carlton of hospitals – hardwood floors, even in the patient rooms, and flat-screen TVs. We have complimentary Wi-Fi, so if you’re waiting in the lobby – maybe you’re taking care of a parent or waiting for someone who’s having a procedure – not only is the lobby gorgeous, but you’re going to be watching a flat-screen TV, or have access to Wi-Fi in case you need to get a little work done. And the paint is not that typical ‘hospital white.’ The color palette is blue-green, giving you the sense you’re at a high-end spa."And what has the feedback been from the public? Interestingly, Saver believes they aren’t aware of it yet. "Our grand opening isn’t until Oct. 3, so we haven’t unveiled it yet. I’m sure the community has sensed that we are undergoing a major renovation at this point, but we just can’t wait to show it to them. We’re having a catered event with entertainment. We’re inviting the hospital staff, local political leaders, and the news media to come and see it. I don’t think the public has any idea at this point what a transformative hospital facelift this is."
With groundbreaking taking place just a year ago, in September 2011, the Pavilion was not expected to open until spring 2013, but the construction team – The Robins & Morton Group of Orlando – was able to bring it in ahead of schedule. That’s good news for the community because not only will the addition ease the congestion at the hospital, but it will also boost the local economy. "Even the jobs created to build the Pavilion were a good thing for the area," Saver said.Further, according to Jerel Humphrey, Chief Executive Officer of Wellington Regional Medical Center, "Based on the growth pattern of Wellington and 2017 patient volume projections, the anticipated economic impact of this project to the community is significant, likely providing 100 full-time positions – running the gamut from physicians, to nurses, to support staff – and $5 million in annual salaries." Saver added, "That will be fantastic for Wellington and for South Florida as a whole."
Additionally, plans are in the works for the existing building to receive a facelift, particularly the main lobby areas. "We are already Wellington’s respected community hospital," Saver said. "But with the advent of this Pavilion, particularly with regard to how state-of-the-art it is and the additional space it provides, we have essentially transformed from the community hospital of Wellington into a full-fledged medical complex."
