January 17, 2008

Contact: Rosa Rozek
773.374.1000

Delnor Addition to Open in June

CHICAGO, IL – A lobby with fireplace and skylight.  Bedroom walls painted warm earth tones and adorned with wood accents. High ceilings and large windows.  Forty-two-inch flat-screen TVs.  Ceramic tile in the bathrooms.

No, this is not a description of the amenities in newest condos up and down the Fox Valley.  These are features patients will find when they get into Delnor-Community Hospital's new 100,000-square-foot wing, under construction at the hospital campus along Randall Road in Geneva, which is set to open June 1.

"We want it to be as good as anybody would have at their house," said construction project manager Mark Larson, during a walk-through of the larges addition the hospital has built since it opened in 1991.

The west-side wing will have two surgical suites, private patient rooms and space for upgraded radiology equipment. In accommodating a growing population with a larger hospital and expanded services, Delnor official have as a top priority a healing environment that makes patients and family members feel like they're at home.

"Part of our philosophy is that the support of family members to the patient contributes to their healing," said Kate Monteleone, chief development officer.

To that end, patient rooms will have fold-out sofas and WiFi Internet.  A lounge will provide a stove so family and friends can cook meals.  A resource center stocked with computers will be available for research and to check e-mail.

And all of it will be designed to promote a soothing, comforting atmosphere Lynne Casey, senior marketing specialist, said.

"It's really about the experience. We don't want it to be a scary place."

The wing's three main floors will let in a lot of natural light, Larson said.  A water feature will greet patients and visitors, and a balcony will bring a dose of fresh air.

"Studies have shown that patients are more comfortable and heal faster," in this type of environment, he said.

The $50 million addition is being funded in part by donations.  The "Sophisticated Medicine Close to Home" fundraising campaign has a goal of $10 million, and has raised a little more than $8.5 million, Monteleone said.