GREENWOOD,
Ind. – The newly renovated Franciscan St. Francis Health Education and Support
Services Center (ESSC) is welcome addition and economic boon to this community
and surrounding area.
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| Father John Mannion blesses the ESSC with the sprinkling of Holy Water as he walks throughout the facility. |
So
says Greenwood Mayor Mark W. Myers, who was among the invited guests attending
the Jan. 7 blessing and dedication of the 135,000-square-foot property at 421
N. Emerson Ave. More than 200 hospital leaders, staff and local business and
civic leaders were on hand for the event.
“St.
Francis’ decision to locate its education and administrative services and to
significantly invest in the renovation of this facility is a boost and brings
new vitality to our community,” said Myers. “We welcome you.”
Located
two miles south of Franciscan St. Francis-Indianapolis hospital, ESSC long had
been emptied when the former Alpine Electronics shut its doors in 2006 and shipped
its operations to Mexico. That facility remained mothballed until late 2011, when
hospital officials announced the acquisition of the sprawling property and unveiled
plans for its $14 million renovation.
“As
we continue to grow along the Interstate 65 corridor and work with Mayor Myers
and others locally, we are happy to be part of a rebirth in eastern Greenwood,”
said Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer for Franciscan St.
Francis. “We hope this new center will continue to strengthen this section of
the city and spark other businesses in the area for generations to come.”
Hospital
Chief Operating Officer Keith Jewell led the renovation planning and design
phases and John Ross,former vice president of human resources and consultant,
managed project coordination.
“We’ve always felt like we’re part of the county,
because our campus is so close to the county line, but now we’re actually part
of this community,” Jewell has said.
With
Education Services leading the way, more than 250 employees from several
hospital departments began migrating to the facility late last fall, including:
Community Relations and Marketing, Coding, Revenue Management, Business
Transformation, Health Information Management, Finance, Central Patient Access,
Hospice, Home Health, Central Scheduling, Surgery Chargers/Schedulers, Printing/Distribution
Center, Franciscan Alliance Information Services, and private offices.
Additionally,
about 100 students daily visit ESSC for classes and hands-on clinical training.
As with the grand openings of all hospital facilities and centers, the property was formerly blessed by the spiritual care staff. Father John Mannion was joined by Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Franciscan Alliance, and Sister Marlene Shapley, vice president of mission, for the dedication of ESSC.
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| Sr. Jane Marie Klein (l) , chairperson of Franciscan Alliance's Board of Directors and Sister Petra Nielsen chat with an ESSC director following the blessing ceremonies. |
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| CEO Bob Brody and Mayor Mark Myers agree the newly renovated property will spur economic growth in Greenwood. |
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| COO Keith Jewell leads a tour for the senior administrative staff. |
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| An estimated 200 hospital participated in dedication ceremonies. |
