Good Samaritan Groundbreaking Set

June 7, 2012

News Release

Vincennes, Ind. -- After nearly a year of planning and preparation in the design phase, Good Samaritan Hospital is ready to break ground on its $109 million building project - the BEACON Project. The project consists of a 200,000 square foot, five-story, 120-bed inpatient tower, as well as a redesign of key health care service areas and upgrade of the hospital’s critical engineering systems. The monumental groundbreaking ceremony will be held June 12, 2012 at 9 a.m. between the Health Pavilion entrance and the helipad on Good Samaritan Way.

The groundbreaking will set the pace for multiple projects within phase one of the BEACON Project. Good Samaritan Way between Sixth and Seventh streets will close to traffic on June 13 to allow for construction of a new helipad and ambulance garage. Also, in the next couple of months the employee fitness center and the hospital’s carpenter shop will be demolished. Demolition of the carpenter shop will make way for the new energy center and support services buildings.

The following phases will include renovations to Columbian Tower East, three floors of the Health Pavilion and the addition of a conference room. Demolition of the Memorial, Gibault and Willis buildings will also occur during the project.

Rob McLin, President and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, said the BEACON Project is a substantial investment that embodies Good Samaritan Hospital’s commitment to service excellence and becoming a world-class health care organization. “The changes to come at Good Samaritan Hospital will allow for future growth in our five centers of excellence: Oncology, surgery, orthopedics, cardiology and obstetrics,” stated McLin. “This will also allow us to better keep up with technology.”

The $109 million BEACON Project is being financed through bonds and hospital reserves. Jerry Stump, Chief Financial Officer at Good Samaritan Hospital, said around $60 million is being financed through specialty bonds and bond revenues. “We are fortunate to have the reserves to pay for nearly half of the project with hospital equity and investments,” he said. “No property will be taken off of the tax roll, nor will any tax be levied. The project will also not be financed by raising our charges to patients. We are one of the lowest cost providers in the state and plan to remain as such.”

ABOUT GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

Good Samaritan Hospital, Knox County’s largest employer, is licensed for 232 in-house patients. Annually, Good Samaritan Hospital has more than 333,700 outpatient visits and an additional 33,800 plus visits to its emergency room. The hospital offers a wide scope of medical services. From thoracic surgery to the birth of a baby, this growing health care provider balances quality patient care with preventive education to fulfill its mission. Consistently ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation in patient satisfaction, Good Samaritan Hospital provides a superb level of care while maintaining fiscal integrity and expanding facilities to meet the needs of the community. For more information, visit www.gshvin.org.