SMITHLAND, Ky. — Livingston Hospital is moving ever-closer to its upcoming $75 million expansion. The community held a public event Wednesday at the Deer Lakes Golf Course’s meeting room.
Livingston County Hospital staff, community members and project managers publicly discussed plans for financing, showcased renderings and explained how the expansion will benefit Livingston County and beyond.
Present were Chairman Barry Chittenden, Livingston County Hospital CEO Shane Whittington, Chief Nursing Officer Tessa Evans, Innovative Capital Financial Adviser Alan Richman, David Johnson JJCA Architect and ADAMS Project Manager Travis Beatty.
The project itself will be financed through a federal loan and will be repaid via the hospital’s reimbursement. The initiative is also part of Livingston Hospital’s newfound affiliation with Deaconess Health System. For more than 65 years, the residents of Livingston, Crittenden, Lyon and Caldwell Counties have relied on Livingston Hospital for health care, and with the expansion, hospital officials hope to continue expansion.
Notably, the hospital has been a Level Four Trauma facility for several years and there only two of those within Western Kentucky. In 2003, it was named top 20 critical access facilities. With clinics across multiple counties, the expansion endeavor will be one of its largest to date.
Livingston County Schools Superintendent Dr. David Meinschien took the stage first to introduce the panel and explain how the updated hospital could completely revitalize the area not only medically, but economically. Livingston County Schools is a partner to the hospital, and offers a PCP program with work-based studies for students.
“This facility provides a wonderful resource for our students,” Meinschien said. “This project is a big one for multiple reasons. If you think back to the 1950s, there were a group of people here like this one with a vision. They were forward-thinking enough to build the facility that we have. This group is going to change that again and modernize what we currently have. It will impact the health and well being of our community. It will be an economic driver for years to come and we are appreciative for it.”
Initially, the board looked at building a new hospital. However, the financial aspect was considered too grand of an undertaking.
Instead, the new building will be used for offices, clinics and the pharmacy. The new clinical services and hospital itself will be the new building — the term “modernization” used to describe the project.
There will be a new lobby, a new lab, radiology, surgery, endoscopy, and emergency department in the new building. Six-thousand square feet of the old building will be renovated, but the rest will be used as is, according to project managers.
Judge Executive Teris Swanson felt that the project will benefit not only Livingston County, but Crittenden, Lyon, and Caldwell Counties.
“I think it is going to be a great benefit to our sister counties as well. A lot of local hospitals are closing and with us expanding, I think it will be a great asset for people who, for example, do not want to drive to McCracken County to get the care they need,” Swanson said. “There are obviously healthcare benefits. The healthier your citizens are, the more productive they are in terms of employment and labor costs. But there are economic benefits, civic benefits and so much more to come from this.”
The lack of space, a need for updates and outdated room sizes were all factors that contributed to the decision to move forward with the project. Project official promise more operating rooms, more space and bigger hospital beds, an infusion and oncology area, MRI, DEXA scans, cardiac rehabilitation, nuclear medicine, and an inpatient therapy center.
Overall, the endeavor was cheaper and more effective to remodel and overhaul of the current hospital, rather than rebuild in its entirety.
Once the board receives a commitment from the USDA, it will move forward with the project. Though the date is undetermined, board members hope to get it underway by 2025. Once construction has started, it is projected to take 18 months to complete when it begins and six months for the renovation process.
Dr. Barnes, who has worked at Livingston Hospital for 45 years, told reporters that he is beyond excited. Barnes is eager to see future specialists and healthcare professionals carry on their legacy well after he is gone.
“We were fortunate to get Deaconess to help us with this project. It is not their first rodeo. They are very experienced in this whole process and we expect up to date, brand new, functional hospital that will last for many, many years,” Barnes said. “Somebody has to take over when I leave. Years down the road, we will be able to recruit the right people who can adequately do that. We already have a few people coming from other counties, all because of the type of surgery we do here. So, it would be more of a draw for people to come to an updated hospital that has a building to match the quality of next level care that we offer.”
