We’re almost ready to start work on our surgical suite expansion. Bid information was submitted to the contractor’s bulletins and the advertisement for bids was posted on March 20. There will be a prebid walkthrough for contractors on March 29 and bids will be received on April 6. There is a special governing board meeting scheduled for April 11 to review and approve the bids as well as authorizing the sale of hospital revenue bonds to fund the project as well as refinance the existing USDA loan from the 2002 project. There appears to be a great deal of interest in the bid information and we hope to get numerous bids for the project. We encourage our local contractors to consider participating in the bidding process.

The expansion project was initiated through the hospital strategic planning process, utilizing community survey information. Community residents told us they would like to see expanded surgical services available at SCBH. As a result of that information and the fact that our surgeons have indicated a desire to expand their scope of service, the expansion project is becoming a reality. The SCBH Governing Board will be involved in a strategic planning retreat again this spring. In addition to the board, medical staff and department managers are also involved in the exercise, to update the hospital strategic plan to address the health care needs of the local residents. This process is crucial to helping SCBH set the direction for the organization in the next few years.

As you have read in the Swift County Monitor News, the City of Benson will be constructing the parking lot for SCBH. They anticipate starting the project in mid April and the tentative timetable is that construction will start in mid May. The dates are, of course, dependent on the weather.

We want to thank our SCBH Auxiliary for sponsoring their 13th Learning for Life program and Mary Felt for providing the program. Community residents really appreciate having our medical providers present programs of interest to the community. We also want to encourage you to attend the 12th annual Emerald Eve. Again, we appreciate the extraordinary efforts of our foundation and the individuals who participate in the planning and execution of this worthwhile event.

And, to you area residents, thank you for the opportunity to be of service to the Benson community. Your trust and support of our organization has helped make us successful. We look forward to serving you in the future.