Faith Community Hospital hosts campus dedication

On Sept. 21, 2015, the day Faith Community Hospital opened the doors of its new facility, Hospital Administrator/CEO Frank Beaman told his staff that what they are doing will span generations.

That message continued to be spread during the dedication of the campus Saturday morning. The opening of the new facility has spawned tremendous growth, including the Swan Family Wellness Center and obtaining  a second Rural Health Clinic in Bowie.

The growth comes in the amount of patients being seen. FCH Board President Lori McBrayer said patients at the Rural Health Clinic in Jacksboro were expected to be at 200 after six months. After two months they were at 458 patient visits.

“Patient volume has also doubled in the ER with a 50 percent increase in the amount of outpatient visits,” McBrayer said.

With continued growth, which is expected, the hospital will be able to rely less on taxes. That should happen as patient satisifaction surveys are at or near 100 percent, McBrayer said. 

The new facility offers many things the older one couldn’t such as ultrasound, MRI, cataract surgeries and more, all in a short period of time since the facility opened. While the Swan Family Wellness Center suffered from a number of weather delays, it has been very well received by the community and continues to grow in popularity.

Keynote speaker Phyllis Cowling, president/CEO of United Regional in Wichita Falls, said the campus is more than just the buildings outside, it’s what is going on inside.

“The leadership team inside the walls are dedicated to meeting the needs of the community and area,” Cowling said. “FCH is more than a campus. It’s the hope, the health and healing of the community.”

Beaman thanked his leadership team of Joy Henry, Kim Lee, Bonnie Blevins and Peggy Christian for keeping him strong during the construction of the 85,000 square foot facility. Beaman praised the work of Hoar Construction, who he said was “the best I’ve ever worked with in 31 years in the health care industry.”

He praised the Swan Family for its diligence and patience in getting the Wellness Center built. FCH Foundation President Phyllis Elenburg said the Foundation worked with the Swan Family in making sure the facility was state of the art with equipment the U.S. Olympic Team uses. A plaque of appreciation was presented to the family during the dedication.

In closing, Beaman encouraged the public to be part of the campus.

““This is your legacy,” Beaman said. “Embrace it. Celebrate it.”