Construction:
The extremely cold weather has not affected construction at the Outpatient Care Center, according to Leonard Copeland, Project Superintendent for Bovis Lend Lease Inc. Enough propane-generated heat is being supplied to the interior of the building to protect the workers and the equipment that has been installed.

Workers have begun hanging dry wall on the second floor. The third floor is 80 percent complete with all framing, ductwork and electrical rough-ins finished. Crews are beginning ductwork on the first floor, and they are preparing to build the specialty foundation for the MRI machine.

The exterior radius balcony wall on the west side is being installed. This will be the basis for the roof for the third floor balcony. Workers also are in the final stages of completing the main roof of the building, and passersby soon should begin to see the metal roof and its distinctive color.

Four air handling units totaling 70,000 pounds have been installed in the roof area, and the chiller unit for the building has been set in the equipment yard on the ground next to the structure. Crews have set the main transformer that provides the power supply for the OCC, and curb work is underway for the parking areas.

Operations:
Barbara Elias has been named the Director of the Outpatient Care Center. Ms. Elias has been with Martha Jefferson Hospital for a total of 25 years. She currently serves as Director of Cardiology and Respiratory Care Services, and Health and Wellness Services (cardiac rehab and adult fitness programs).

Barbara has 13 years of management experience overseeing fiscal, personnel and operations areas. She has developed clinical services, such as cardiac diagnostics, and health education programs and community outreach services. Notable among these are the community wide initiative to place Automatic External Defibrillators in public areas; and Heart Partners, a community research and intervention program for people with chest pains, for which she was a Principal Investigator.

Barbara has a clear vision for the OCC. "I want to dazzle our guests with exceptional service and technical competency, and provide an environment that facilitates a unique healthcare experience," she said.

Barbara's knowledge of Martha Jefferson Hospital and day-to-day operational experience are tremendous assets. She is well respected by her peers and by the Medical Staff. "The OCC Director's position needed someone with Barbara's experience and working knowledge of Martha Jefferson, as well as someone who possesses outstanding customer service skills. We are very pleased that Barbara has accepted this position," said Marijo Lecker, VP for Administration in charge of OCC operations.