St. Marys Memorial Hospital celebrates completion of patient room rebuild project

Community leaders, health-care staff and donors celebrate the completion of the Patient Room Rebuild Project at St. Marys Memorial Hospital on June 11 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The project features enhanced patient rooms with improved accessibility, safety and comfort thanks to the support of the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation and its donors.

By Amanda Modaragamage

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) marked the completion of its Patient Room Rebuild Project at St. Marys Memorial Hospital with a grand-opening celebration on June 11.

The newly constructed wing is set to reopen this week, welcoming patients to the upgraded space.

Among those in attendance were St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, HPHA staff, donors and members of the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation.

Strathdee addressed the crowd, congratulating all involved.

“We know how important the hospital is in our community and we’re very grateful to all the donors and the staff who work here to make this project a reality,” he said.

The multi-year project has transformed patient-care areas with a strong focus on accessibility, infection control, safety and overall patient experience.

Upgrades include barrier-free washrooms, wider doorways, improved lighting with patient-controlled options and enhanced heating and cooling systems.

Rae emphasized the importance of creating adaptable spaces to meet future health-care needs.

“Technology, as those in health care know, is changing rapidly. Making rooms that can accommodate equipment that may not even be invented yet is key,” he said.

Other design changes — such as relocating radiators to the ceiling and streamlining bedside infrastructure — have improved comfort and functionality within the existing footprint for both patients and care teams.

Francesco Sabatini, project manager in HPHA’s facilities management department, spoke about the collaboration that made the renovations possible.

“This impressive renovation is a culmination of a huge team effort made over many years,” he said. “I think we can all agree this demonstrates HPHA’s continued dedication to improving how health-care services are delivered in the Town of St. Marys and surrounding communities.”

The renovations also include enhanced safety systems, additional handwashing stations, an isolation room and separated clean and soiled utility areas to support high infection-prevention standards and staff efficiency.

“It’s not just a milestone, it’s a reflection of a community that stands behind its hospital,” said Lynanne Mason, HPHA vice-president of partnerships and transformation and chief nursing executive. “This is a hospital that is committed to delivering care that meets the needs of today, and now we’re ready for tomorrow.”

HPHA extended its thanks to the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation and its donors, whose generous support was instrumental in bringing the project to life and ensuring continued access to high-quality, modern care close to home.