Greene County News Report

FAIRBORN — Patients at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center can expect substantial improvements to patient care and staff efficiency from a recently completed renovation project.

The project titled Gateway to Health Care III, originally programmed for $115 million, took 43 months to complete and cost $99 million.

An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held July 31 to commemorate completion of the project which will foster increased medical readiness of active military members and healthcare for family members and eligible veterans.

The multi-phase renovation included the relocation, reorganization and modernization of inpatient and outpatient departments consisting of surgical, clinical and support areas. It includes a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room equipped with advanced imaging capabilities, which is the first hybrid operating room in the Dayton area.

This operating room offers the ability to support cases ranging from interventional radiology procedures to neurosurgery cases in the same room without having to transfer patients, allowing for efficiency and increased safety for the patient.

“This project helps us achieve our [first] priority to get our military members ready to go down range to improve our readiness. It also ensures all our beneficiaries, retirees, and our family members are getting quality healthcare that is second to none,” said Col. John M. Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing commander.

The project, which began in January 2012, upgrades more than 30 clinical areas and nine surgical operating suites. There were many other upgrades such as utility systems, which improved energy efficiency.

“This is a really big event for us because we love our patients and have a phenomenal staff,” said Col. Timothy D. Ballard, 88th Medical Group commander.” The renovation updates everything that has to do with providing quality healthcare.”

The work includes a recent agreement to make the base’s medical center a part of the VA network. Some veterans will be able to receive specialized care on base.

“The VA can refer both inpatient and outpatient specialty cases here and it allows the veteran to get treatment. It also provides some great acuity cases for our doctors. It provides another level of access for our veterans and the VA,” said Devillier.

Story courtesy of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.