LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —  

A party is planned for today for everyone at the new Saint Joseph-London on Parker Road. There will be with tours, refreshments, bluegrass music and giveaways from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A ribbon cutting and a sneak preview of the new hospital was held under a large tent Wednesday for VIPs and the press amid a downpour and thunder. 

Mayor Troy Rudder thanked the hospital for letting the citizens of London to be part of the celebration.

“We are truly, truly honored to be in the presence of so many people who make such a difference in our community,” Rudder said. “You’re the hope of all the people in time of distress, in time of illness. You provide quality care for all of us. You are our hope.”

Rudder said the hospital now has room for people in the surrounding counties to also find that hope.

Besides providing the finest medical care, the hospital also gives back to the community, he said.

“We can speak of the economic impact they have on our community, wellness programs for adults and especially the children,” he said. “We could talk about the health fairs that Saint Jo provides. We could even talk of the main sponsorship of Crusin’ on Main, a London Downtown event. And, who can forget the golf scrambles.”

Rudder said the hospital had highly trained individuals and a caring staff who are always there to meet the patients’ needs.

“The total needs is the needs of the mind, body and soul. Saint Jo, all I can say is well done, well done,” he said.

Rev. Ronald Gainer, bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, asked for God’s blessing on all those who will be patients or who will devote themselves to caring for the sick in the new building.

“Let us ask the divine blessing on this building erected for the care of the sick, for healing and wellness,” he said.

Gene Woods, president/CEO of Saint Joseph Health System, joked about  Gainer bringing the rain with him.

“We had a meeting with Bishop Gainer before this morning and we thanked him for bringing the rain because we have a small lake to fill,” Woods said. “It’s less expensive to do it this way, but then could you slow down the rain for the people who are walking into the tent? He said, ‘Make up your mind. Which one do you want.’”

Woods said the new building would take health care to another level.

“This beautiful facility is befitting to the wonderful care the Saint Joseph team gives every day,” he said. “They’ve proven that delivering quality care is more than just a building. But, this building and the state-of-the-art technology that it will now afford will enable us to take care to even another level.”

Sister Elizabeth Wendeln, secretary of the Saint Joseph Health System Board, shared some funny facts about the hospital’s earlier years, such as the time there was not enough money to pay the bills so they sold two calves and a dozen chickens.

Mike Fiechter, chair of Saint Joseph Health System Board, said any community would be proud to have a hospital like Saint Joseph-London.

“Let’s not take this for granted,” Fiechter said. “Let’s spread the word about it. Numerous awards, quality care among the highest in the nation.”

The crowd of visitors who toured the new facility expressed their amazement with comments such as, “Wow, look at all this room; I wish I was sick; I like all the private rooms, even the ones in the emergency room; these pictures are beautiful; and I wonder which room I will I be in one of these days.”

The new $152 million, 325,000-square-foot regional facility features the latest technology, expansive interior spaces, all private rooms, original artwork by local artists, and a healing environment with a small lake and garden on a 52-acre campus.

The facility, which has six floors and a basement, is nearly double the hospital’s former size of 189,000 square feet. It will allow for the expansion of several service lines, such as cardiology and OB-GYN. The modern hospital will reach more community members from the local and surrounding areas.

Staff writer Carol Mills can be reached at cmills@sentinel-echo.com.