Project rendering by Wilmot Sanz Architects
Prince Frederick, MD – Officials from Calvert Memorial Hospital (CMH) went before the county commissioners Tuesday, March 15 to outline the plan to expand the facility over the next five years. While the hospital is privately owned, it is Calvert largest private employer. The project, which will significantly increase the facility’s square footage, requires certification from the Maryland Healthcare Commission before going forward.
Late last year, Calvert Memorial Hospital CEO Dean Teague told The BayNet the plan is to transition to all private rooms for a total of 80 beds. The estimated cost of the entire project is $51 million.
“The project is kind of an easy one to sell,” said Teague, who explained a conversion to all private rooms is a popular preference among the public. While raising millions for the project appears to be a daunting task, Teague explained the project would be phased and the CMH Foundation intends to embark on a capital campaign to obtain the needed funds. “It will be hard but we can do it,” he said.
After all the state and county permits have been secured, “we hope to put a shovel in the ground by 2017,” said Teague. The project is expected to be completed by 2020. Parking in CMH’s lot fronting northbound Route 2/4 will be adversely impacted during the construction phase. Teague said the front lot would be a staging area for the project.
The plan consists of a three story segment referred to as the “patient tower.” The first floor will include expanded outpatient services plus space for the CMH medical staff and administration. Both second and third floors will have a 20-bed medical/surgery private room nursing unit. The wing will have new heating, ventilation and air conditioning components, hydraulic elevators and will save energy.
Noting that the building on Church Street in Prince Frederick that has been the home of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office for nearly 15 years was originally the county’s first hospital, Commissioner Steve Weems [R – At large] declared “we have evolved. This is another step for the hospital.”
“We are a community-based hospital,” said Teague, who added CMH administration and staff is trying to make their patients’ stay a better experience.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com