GCGH celebrates parking lot expansion, new MRI/Ultrasound wing

Cutting the green ribbon to officially open the new MRI/Ultrasound Suites at GCGH. From left, Construction Manager Rogie Apodaca, GCGH Foundation Director Kyle Cross, County Commissioner Ed Michael, GCGH Radiation Dept. Director Gina Fish, County Commissioner Nate Abrams and MRI Technicians Rachael Helms and Amie Heath.

Photo by Patti Danner

Greene County General Hospital (GCGH) held a celebration June 29 to introduce its new MRI and Ultrasound wing, as well as its significantly expanded parking area.

GCGH CEO Brenda Reetz spoke to the sizable crowd, which included city and county officials, representatives from the offices of Governor Eric Holcomb and Congressman Larry Bucshon, hospital employees and members of the hospital board.

“Eight months ago, we stood at this very spot and held a groundbreaking to mark the start of this project,” Reetz said. “It’s very satisfying to stand here now and see our plans come to life.”

Reetz said the new, state-of-the-art MRI suite and 3D/4D ultrasound suite will allow GCGH to serve more patients and offer better services.

For physicians, the new equipment is a godsend.

“We needed it,” said physician and hospital board member Dr. Pete Powers. “The old one, which was in a trailer in the parking lot, was functional, but this one gives much clearer pictures.”

According to a press release issued by GCGH, the MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, unit is a MAGNETOM Altea 1.5T, and is “uniquely designed to deliver the best of both worlds: exceptional image quality for physicians and a comfortable experience for patients”

Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician Dr. John Hammerstein chats with MRI Tech Amie Heath in the new MRI suite.

The system features BioMatrix technology and accommodates patients’ anatomical and physiological differences as well as technologist differences. These factors help decrease the need for re-scans and increase scan consistency across a diverse patient population.

In addition to cutting the ribbon on the new MRI/Ultrasound suites, Reetz announced the still-in-progress but nearly complete parking area upgrade.

While the previous parking area offered 270 spaces, the new parking lot offers 420 spaces, emergency call boxes for hospital staff and upgraded lighting.

The new lot also offers four electric vehicle charging stations, with the capacity to expand the feature to 12 stations within the next two to three years.

Reetz thanked the design team, the construction crew, the hospital’s Board of Trustees, the supportive community and all hospital employees for their patience during construction.

GCGH Board of Trustees members and others gathered for a photo. Front row, from left, Mike Crane, Nate Abrams, Cheryl Hamilton and Sam Vehslage. Back row, from left, Tim Warrick, Dr. Pete Powers, Rick Graves and Ed Michael.

Also present was Indiana State Department of Health Chief of Staff Shane Hatchett. Hatchett said the new upgrades will be of great benefit to residents in the Greene County area, and congratulated the hospital for the new additions.