A community dream come true ...’

Lake Chelan Health Hospital is targeted to open in early November. New Hospital Highlights: Built on 11.6 acres at 110 S. Apple Blossom Drive in Chelan; 55,250 square feet, single story Critical Access Hospital. Nine private ER rooms, 12 state-of-the-art patient rooms, four of those labor and delivery; two expanded OR’s, 8 pre-operative and post-operative bays; ample parking for patients and staff. Total cost $44.5 million. $20 million approved from public voters in 2017, $2 million from Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation, $22.5 million from hospital debt capacity, grants and reserves. Was 5% over budget. Bouten Construction • CollinWoerman Architect. The hospital district has served the valley for over 70 years.

Ed Holst had the honor of raising the flag as members of the American Legion Post #108 gave a hand salute. Ed Holst's wife, Karen had recently been a patient at Lake Chelan Health Hospital while she was battling cancer. She was able to return home just 2 days prior to her passing. Ed was so grateful for the care Karen received at the hospital he wanted to be the person to raise the flag at the new hospital.

MC Mike Steele, Washington State Representative, welcomed those in attendance to the Lake Chelan Health Hospital Grand Opening Ceremony. Steele is also a member of the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation.

Mary Murphy, Lake Chelan Health Board Chairman: ‘‘This is indeed a dream come true, most importantly it is a community dream come true.’’

Aaron Edwards, CEO of Lake Chelan Health: ‘‘Thank you for being here, this is an amazing turnout. I have the honor of thanking you all. I can’t put into words to the staff, I have been here since April 11, and the momentous effort I have seen put into getting this done. You guys are truly remarkable and it is an honor to work with all of you.’’ Edwards also read a letter of congratulations from former CEO of the hospital, Kevin Abel.

Brandon Potts. vice-president at Bouten Construction: ‘‘At Bouten Construction our mission is to build two things, the first are places that matter, the second are relationships that last. This is your hospital, its personal, we often hear community members refer to this as our hospital. Congratulations.

Manual Navarro, CEO, Columbia Valley Community Health: “We are celebrating our 50th anniversary as an organization serving the residents and communities of Chelan and Douglas counties, we are also celebrating a little over 20 years of really committed to serving the Chelan community itself ... and partnering with the people at Lake Chelan Health and the community.

Guild Y sold bricks to raise funds to buy outdoor furniture for the patio outside of the dining room at the new hospital.

Members of the Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation presented the hospital with a check for $2 million at the grand opening ceremonies. The foundation recently made their final installment of that $2 million commitment, $800,000, to the Lake Chelan Health board of commissioners. The foundation was formed in 1981. Judy Steele has been a member of the foundation since its beginning. The foundation has raised $4 million in the last decade for equipment and building construction (third floor of current hospital).

Aaron Edwards, CEO of Lake Chelan Health, center, cut the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony on Oct. 15. This is the second new hospital that the district has built. Grand opening ceremonies for the current hospital were held in 1972.

One of trauma rooms in the Emergency Room at the new hospital. There are nine private ER rooms, an increase of four.

Those taking the tour enjoyed snacks in the cafeteria at the new hospital.

There are 12 state-of-the-art patients rooms in the new hospital. Eight private patient rooms, including one bariatric patient room, and four labor and delivery rooms. Each labor and delivery room has capacity for two patients beds if needed. Total patients beds available is 16.

Harold and Edna Bragg left the majority of their estate, over $1 million to the Lake Chelan Community Foundation, now called Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation. Monies are used exclusively to provide scholarships to residents of the Lake Chelan Valley who are pursuing careers in health care fields, or are local health care professionals involved in continuing medical education. The Lake Chelan Health and Wellness Foundation is excited to announce recipients of  the Edna & Harold Bragg Endowment Fund 2022-23 student scholarships for a total of $41,800. America Avila, Guadalupe Calderon, Noemi Garcia-Rosas, Elizabeth Gleasman, Jafeth Luna-Munoz, Itzahiana Luna-Munoz, Johan Luna-Munoz, Yuleymy Nunez, Joselin Nunez-Basurto, Juliana Ortiz-England, Celestina Pacheco Roselyn Peterson, Kaitlyn Rainville, Karen Rodriguez, Elise Rothlisberger, Christina Sloan, Devyn Smith, Emely Valencia-Suarez. Seven of these students are in their first year of study, five in their second, three each in their third and fourth years, and one student is in their sixth year of study. For almost 30 years through the Bragg Endowment Fund, our Foundation has contributed over a million dollars for health-related scholarships to our Chelan High School and Manson High School graduating students, and continuing education for our hospital caregivers and staff. Congratulations to all. The deadline for applying for 2023-24 scholarships is April 5, 2023. Go to Scholarships & Continuing Education - Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation (lchealthwellness.com).

The new hospital has two expanded operating rooms and there is space to add a third. There are eight pre-operative and post-operative bays.

The CT Scanner at the new hospital.

The nurses station at the new hospital.

The Bragg Conference Room, named after Harold and Edna Bragg, who left the majority of their estate to the hospital foundation for medical health care education scholarships.

Did You Know? The Lake Chelan Health & Wellness Foundation: Promotes and partners with community non-profits wellness initiatives; fundraises annually for hospital equipment - since 2017 they have purchased significant, state-of-the-art equipment for the new hospital; and the foundation values its hospital Human Resources and invests in their continuing education, through the Harold and Edna Bragg Healthcare Fund.

There are three Waiting Room Alcoves like this one, in the new hospital, in addition to the ER Waiting Room.

The Physical Therapy Room at the new hospital is a large and bright room. It was being used for storage at the time of the grand opening ceremony.

The radiology area in the new hospital.