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Part of the audience gathers before the ceremony in front of Schuyler Hospital. The front of the building is all new.

Schuyler Hospital celebrates renovations

MONTOUR FALLS, June 21 -- Schuyler Hospital celebrated its $7.7 million makeover Friday with a ceremony in front of the hospital and an open house inside.

Hospital employees from surgeons to cleaners were on hand along with dignitaries from the Schuyler County Legislature and from Congessman Tom Reed's office as Hospital President-CEO Andy Manzer addressed the crowd.

Manzer praised everyone involved in the project, which he said was "the biggest reinvestment" in the hospital since its construction in 1972. The project was completed in 14 months, which he termed "a very short period to accomplish what you see today."

More than $6.4 million of the funding came from a New York State HEAL grant, with the balance covered by the Schuyler Health Foundation. Its chair, Matthew Hayden, told the audience that the Foundation was "a stop-gap but valuable partner, making sure the scope of the project could occur."

That scope included rebuilt and expanded lobby space, a new gift shop, two new state-of-the-art operating rooms, a meditation room, a private consultation room, an upgraded emergency department, centralized registration, and renovations to the Radiology and Surgical Services. Architecture and construction services were provided by Holt Architects of Ithaca and the Welliver construction firm of Montour Falls.

In the attached 120-bed Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility, common areas underwent renovations that included replacement of old carpet with new wood flooring, and improvements in nursing stations.

Manzer, in his celebration remarks, said the project, which broke ground in April 2013, will increase the 42-year-old facility's efficiency and bring it into stride with a need to improve services for outpatients -- who account for 75 percent of the patient traffic.

He said the HEAL grant was obtained in part because of the state's favorable reaction to Schuyler Hospital's increased alliance with the Cayuga Medical Center -- but was quick to point out that the Schuyler facility has remained independent.

"We're part of the Cayuga Health System," he said, explaining that Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Medical Center "are independent hospitals under" its umbrella. He assured the crowd that Schuyler Hospital "is focused on the community, and is not being gobbled up. We're part of a health system" which could gain "resources and leverage" should other health facilities join it in the future.

He praised several individuals, including Scott Welliver for providing office space and storage space when the hospital needed it during the renovation process; and Facilities Director Matt Taylor, who "did a lot of work" during the project "that otherwise would have had to be farmed out to subcontractors."

Other speakers included Dr. Joseph Mannino, a Cayuga Schuyler orthopedic surgeon; Schuyler Hospital Board Chair Fred Tanneberger; and Alison Hunt, representing the office of Congressman Tom Reed. She presented Manzer with a Congressional certificate marking the occasion..

Photos in text:

Top: Schuyler Hospital President-CEO Andy Manzer addresses the audience at the celebration, held in front of the hospital.

Second: The view from a common room in a Seneca View Skilled Nursing wing explains that facility's name.

Third: Alison Hunt from Congressman Tom Reed's office presents a certificate to Schuyler Hospital President-CEO Andy Manzer.

One of the new, state-of-the-art operating rooms.

Left: Scott Welliver, lauded by Schuyler Hospital President Andy Manzer.
Right: Dr. Joseph Mannino.