After 35 years and few changes, $26 million will make it happen
The Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital will receive about $26 million in federal money to renovate and build operating room suites.
The hospital’s current operating rooms have been used since 1972, and few renovations have ever been made. This has made the need for the new construction evident for a number of years, project spokesman Stephen Gaither said.
“The problem is that in today’s world of surgery, there are so many more pieces of equipment that take up much more space and use more heating, ventilation, air conditioning and electrical systems,” Gaither said. “It really does create concerns about crowding and stressing your systems.”
The funding will allow the hospital to build a new building and then renovate the existing building to add more surgical areas, said Hospital Director Sallie Houser-Hanfelder.
“People here are very, very ecstatic about it,” Houser-Hanfelder said. “I think everyone is geared up and ready to make this possible.”
It will take about a year to finish the design and then about two years to do construction, Houser-Hanfelder said.
Gaither said the efforts of Rep. Kenny Hulshof and Sen. Kit Bond and other members of the Missouri Congressional delegation played a large role in gaining approval for the construction.
With 154 veterans hospitals around the country, Missouri representatives had to work to ensure that the project stayed in the competition for the federal construction funds.
In the wake of the scandal involving poor conditions at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C., Bond and Hulshof visited the Truman Memorial on Monday morning to tour the facilities and check for cleanliness. They then made the announcement about the funding.
“They got enough positive feedback to know that we run a first-class operation and the patients are satisfied,” Gaither said.
Walter Reed is not related to the health care system of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Gaither said. But because of the scandal, he said, the department and its hospitals will fall under increased scrutiny from the general public.
Houser-Hanfelder said the news concerning Walter Reed has prompted people to write letters showing their support for the services they have received at the hospital.
“It’s always nice to get those from veterans that use our hospital,” she said. “I’ve gotten a dozen or more; they’re very heartwarming.”