Ten years ago – on June 25, 2011 — Elmhurst Hospital opened a $450 million, state-of-the-art hospital at the corner of York Street and Roosevelt Road. A decade later, the hospital’s 2,600+ employees continue to deliver on its commitment to person-centered care.
“It is hard for me to believe that it has been ten years since we opened the new hospital’s doors,” said Pamela Dunley, president and CEO, Elmhurst Hospital. “After years of planning, designing and building, we marked the beginning of new ways to heal, new ways to work, and new ways to practice medicine.” And it is always worthwhile to recognize the dedication of such hospitals in providing services that are critical to human survival. Any new institution is likely to face numerous challenges, whether it’s a hospital or anything else. Like at the initial stage, new hospitals cannot afford to purchase such expensive equipment for emergencies at the outset, they prefer to opt for C-Arm Rentals and other medical equipment. However, as the hospitals expand, they begin to purchase and install the tools on their own. And that’s how they grow. Also, to have made it this far despite the difficulties is admirable.
Additionally, inspired by the Planetree organization, symbols of the commitment to treating mind, body and spirit are present throughout the building. Represented in the form of a stylized sycamore leaf, they signify Elmhurst Hospital’s holistic healing philosophy.
“We have created a unique healthcare experience at Elmhurst Hospital,” said Dunley. “Our dedication to the Planetree philosophy is fully evident in the private suites, calming and comfortable accommodations, seamless integration, and state-of the-art technology – all designed with the patient at the forefront.”
Hospital planners also made a decision to employ standardization to promote safety and efficiency. The layout, patient rooms and nursing stations are identical on each of the hospital’s five floors. The transport between each of these floors has also been made as safe as possible, as it’s crucial both staircases and elevators cater for everyone’s safety. For example, some components of the elevator, such as the industrial hoistway equipment, might have needed to be repaired or replaced to ensure the elevator was as safe as possible. These are many factors that have contributed to numerous national honors for quality, safety and patient satisfaction.
Elmhurst Hospital…
…is on Fortune/IBM Watson Health’s 2021 list of 100 Top Hospitals in the U.S. and is ranked No. 1 in the Large Community Hospitals category.
…has been awarded Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International.
…earned an A in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2021 Hospital Safety Grades and is one of only 27 hospitals in the country and five in Illinois to have achieved straight A’s since the Hospital Safety Grades began in 2012.
…earned Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence and Outstanding Patient Experience Awards for 2020.
…was redesignated as a Magnet hospital for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Dunley said she remembers the opening of the new Elmhurst Hospital like it was yesterday.
After 36 months of construction, it took four hours to transfer 101 patients by ambulance from the original 85-year-old Elmhurst Hospital on Berteau Avenue into private suites at the new 866,000-square-foot, 259-bed Elmhurst Hospital at 155 E. Brush Hill Road.
“It was one of the most exciting moments in my 41-year career,” recalled Dunley. “This facility is more than the beautiful architecture and awards and honors. It’s about the people. The patients who put their trust in us, the staff and physicians who came to work every day this past year despite the challenges of a global pandemic, the hundreds of community volunteers, the community members and hospital foundation who are so generous with their donations, and the board of directors and leadership of Edward-Elmhurst Health who are always looking beyond the horizon to keep our health system performing at its very best.
“Here’s to caring for our community in a safe, seamless and personal way for many years to come.”
