For Joel Seligman, president and CEO of the Northern Westchester Hospital, expansion is not about “being big.”
“There are facilities here that need to be expanded to humanely provide the first-class care we want to provide,” said Seligman. “Our vision is to be a great quality hospital, not a great big hospital.”
The new emergency room being built will be twice the size it is now; however, the size is not to impress. Seligman said the expanded facility is to care for the “27,000 patients we have coming in now. That number goes up every year.”
In addition to the larger emergency room, the hospital is also adding 25 private rooms fully to accommodate the families and friends of patients as well as completely to separate areas for children, adults, psychiatric patients and fast-track patients.
Seligman said the expansion is inspired by the “Plane Tree” movement, a national organization that is committed to patient-centered care ”“ empowering patients, family and staff.
One area of the hospital that practices the Plane Tree mission is its cancer treatment center.
“The cancer center has been open for two years and physically exudes support, comfort and humanity,” said Seligman. “We have a lot offered in terms of support and are expanding more cancer treatment, specifically four kinds of cancer: breast, colon, prostate and lung.”
Partnered with the supporting and comforting environment are the technology and expertise in the field of cancer treatment. One kind of minimally invasive technology that has improved cancer treatment at the hospital is the da Vinci Robot, which is the standard care for prostate surgery. The hospital”™s urologists are trained to use this technology.
But the hospital hasn”™t just served the community”™s health-related issues. In 2006, it “generated an economic impact of $260 million,” said Seligman. “We also employ 1,300 people, most of which are from Mt. Kisco.”
Seligman also said the hospital”™s success is in part due to the support of organizations and businesses in the area.
“We depend on so many partners around us,” Seligman said. “We work closely with other entities in Mt. Kisco, like Connie”™s Bakery & General Store, which runs our in hospital coffee bar.”
Commerce Bank also holds health screenings at the bank. “They have been a great supporter,” said Seligman.
On Nov. 30, the Ken Hamilton Care Giver Support Center will have it”™s official opening at the Hospital.
“I wanted to create an oasis in the building for (family members of patients) to get rest and support,” said Seligman. “It”™s a two-year-old program with coaches (social workers) who provide 24/7 support for families of suffering patients.”
The center, which is located right off the lobby, is just another part of the patient focus expansion of which Seligman is proud.
“Health care is so much more rewarding than any other business,” said Seligman. “And if everybody does their piece, it does well.”
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