Groundbreaking event a success

Nearly 150 community members and medical center employees attended the ceremonial groundbreaking held on Thursday, April 3, near the site where serious groundbreaking will begin in earnest the week of April 7.

The medical center’s Chief Executive Officer, Carl Behne, thanked the crowd for attending in threatening and chilly weather.  He acknowledged special guests from the USDA, UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, Iowa Hospital Association as well as many local elected officials.

Board of trustees chairperson Jim Schleisman spoke on behalf of both the medical center’s board of trustees and the Foundation board.  Co-chairs of the “Investing in Tomorrow’s Care” capital campaign, John Gerken and Rick Morain, spoke on the importance of the medical center to the community and the personal role every community member can play by participating in the campaign with a donation or pledge.

The ceremonial groundbreaking was done by both medical center boards, the capital campaign steering committee and the medical center’s executive team.  Other dignitaries participating including the USDA, Stockton Facility Management Services, HGA Architects and Engineers and representatives from Woodruff Construction.

After the 30-minute ceremony, guests were invited into the medical center for a reception.

The groundbreaking officially marks the beginning of a building project that is expected to be completed by the spring of 2016.