By Brett McLaughlin (Contact / Staff Bio)
March 28, 2008 - 12:02 a.m. EST

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Oconee Medical Center

State Senator Thomas Alexander and his wife, Linda, sign a beam that will become part of the roof of the new 6-story patient tower at Oconee Medical Center. ome 400 donors and friends gathered Thursday to celebrating the "topping out." The tower is scheduled for completion in spring 2009.

SENECA — They billed it as a hoedown but, in reality, Thursday’s event on the lawn of Oconee Medical Center (OMC) was a whole lot more, according to those who threw the party and many of the 400 who attended.

The occasion was the “topping out” of a new six-story patient tower that will open for business in spring 2009. After food, bluegrass music and a few speeches everyone in attendance was invited to sign a beam that will become part of the roof structure of the new tower.

Most of those attending the event were donors who have, collectively, contributed $2.7 million towards a $4 million goal to help fund the tower. The structure will cost a total of $42 million.

Jeanne Ward, hospital president and chief executive officer, told the crowd that there is much to celebrate, referring to progress on the tower and the hospital board’s decision earlier this week to rename Oconee Memorial Hospital to Oconee Medical Center and adopt a new logo.

“This tower is a symbol of the hard work and commitment of this community,” she said. “The concrete and steel that are a part of it are no stronger than those who have made it possible.”

She said the tower is only one factor in OMC’s renewal and rebirth, also pointing to efforts to electronically connect health care providers throughout the community and to develop more efficient and effective ways to deliver quality care.

Ward pointed out that the 165-bed tower will feature all private rooms, including a suite of new birthing rooms that she said will hopefully bring 300 births a year back to Oconee County.

Commenting on the new name and logo, Ward said keeping the name Oconee was essential.

“The choice to include Oconee was made to honor the decades of support Oconee County people have given this hospital,” she said. “Oconee had to be front and center.”

She said the new name also reflects the entirety of care that Oconee Medical Center provides from “before birth to the final days of life.” She said the new logo, which features mountains, lakes and the sun, represents the healing presence of Oconee’s natural world. “The circle represents Oconee and also the circle of life.”