Parkview Warsaw Holds “Topping Out” Ceremony For Hospital Expansion Project
By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — A “topping out” ceremony for construction at Parkview Warsaw was held on Friday, June 10.
Construction on an 88,000-square-foot addition to the building at 1355 Mariners Drive first began in October 2021. The expansion will double Parkview Warsaw’s size and transform it into a full-service hospital. By August 2023, Parkview Warsaw will become Parkview Kosciusko Hospital.
In building construction, a “topping out” ceremony is when the last beam is placed atop a structure. The final steel beam for the Parkview Warsaw project, painted white, was signed by Parkview staff and lifted by a crane while a tree was strapped to the beam. The tree symbolizes bringing life into the building and a positive omen for those in need of Parkview’s services.
Prior to the beam’s placement by construction workers, Parkview Warsaw and community representatives spoke about the impact the expansion will have on Kosciusko County and surrounding areas.
“We’re here because the patients wanted something from Parkview,” said Parkview Whitley Hospital and Parkview Warsaw President Scott Gabriel. “They wanted our services, they wanted the quality of care we bring to this community.”
“Parkview is invested in Warsaw and Kosciusko County,” said Brad Voelz, chair of the Parkview Whitley Hospital and Parkview Warsaw Board of Directors. “And Parkview has invested with this beautiful facility and caring professionals to fill it. Parkview’s motto is ‘excellent care, every person, every day.’ And this investment will help Parkview to continue to provide that excellent and quality care to more and more people in our community every single day.”
Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker said Parkview Kosciusko Hospital will play a significant role in the community for years to come.
“It will enable Parkview to care for our neighbors, our friends, our family, in ways that were not imagined just a few years ago,” said Parker. “Parkview Health, your dedication to this community and the professionalism of your staff is absolutely awe-inspiring. This new building doesn’t just represent excellent healthcare, it represents a commitment to a holistic approach in caring for our well-being.”
Parkview Health Chaplain Mark Fishburn concluded the speeches with a prayer.
The new addition to Parkview Warsaw is four levels, with three stories and a basement. The lower level will be home to cardiology and pulmonology, including rehab for both specialties, as well as nutrition services. The first floor will include the Parkview Cancer Institute satellite clinic, a pharmacy, diabetes education services, and an expansion of the current lab and emergency departments.
Surgical services will occupy the second floor, with two operating suites, two procedure rooms, pre- and post-op rooms, and shell space for future needs. The third floor will house 24 inpatient rooms, with space for an additional four rooms if needed.
“We started with an emergency room here and the volume of patients that’ve come to the emergency room, a lot of those we’ve had to admit over to Parkview Whitley Hospital,” said Gabriel. “It was really that need we saw of what was needed in the community. Our main focus is to continue providing quality care in Kosciusko County. The most important thing to know about us is our compassion for the patient and quality of care we provide.”