Health Compass Newsletter

CMH caregivers, leaders and community members have been involved with the BuildCMH Expansion Project since the beginning. In 2023, much of this collaboration was focused on the project's design development phase.

During this phase, the architecture and design team worked with CMH departments and community members to finalize project plans, select construction materials, and choose a final interior and exterior design for the hospital.

Some of those involved in the design development phase shared what their experience was like:

Bev Selga, Surgical Services director

"To be able to design a space that will bring state-of-the-art health care options while keeping our Planetree model in the forefront of the decisions that are being made is so important. Having a member from each of my teams in Surgical Services on the design team has been invaluable as well — they have input on how their workflow will impact patient and caregiver experience."

Heather Moss, Patient

Family Advisory Council member
"It has been exciting to go from seeing floor plans to being able to walk through mock-ups of future rooms. We have had opportunities to give feedback about themes and materials, as well as sharing our unique ideas and viewpoints about the expansion from a patient perspective. I am proud to be able to collaborate with others and to give input on something that is going to have such a big impact."

Jen Scott-Culp, Telemetry technician

"I enjoyed being part of the design development team. I'm happy to work where input from caregivers is both welcome and valued. I look forward to seeing and working in the new space once it is complete."

Jamie Baron, Radiology supervisor

"Getting to be a part of the design development committee was a really incredible experience. I've been fortunate to have worked at another hospital in my career that had just opened, and there were many things that seemed OK on paper but really didn't work in function. So the fact that the architecture team, supported by CMH leadership, provided so many times that we could be in mock-ups of the physical space and really work through the design challenges or questions was remarkable. I'm incredibly excited for the community to get to experience the new build, and I hope the thought and consideration that went into the process can be appreciated. I feel fortunate to have been able to be a part of it all."

Whitney Beecham, Med/Surg manager

"To me, being involved in an expansion project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The multi-story hospital that we have been working to design has been long wished for by our caregivers who serve our community. I appreciate that the caregivers who work directly with our patients were offered a seat at the table to give feedback on the new design. The architects hired by CMH actively listened to our ideas, needs and wants, then turned those into blueprints. I feel blessed to be a part of the BuildCMH process and look forward to my future on the third floor."

Benedetto DeFrancisco, Patient Family Advisory Council member

"My experience as a PFAC member, while taking part in the BuildCMH Expansion Project's design development phase, has been incredibly positive, collaborative and fun! It's such an empowering experience for community members, like myself, to be seen and heard when planning for the growth and expansion of our health care system in this county. From paint colors to the physical layout of the building and rooms, and everything in between, being a part of these design conversations has been really exciting and hopeful. I can't wait to see the new CMH!"

Categories: Project highlights