$6.9 million raised in capital campaign

Lawrence Memorial Hospital leaders have raised nearly $6.9 million as part of an $8 million capital campaign for a major expansion of the hospital.

Kathy Clausing, chief development officer for the hospital, told LMH board members at a meeting Wednesday that she continued to be pleased with the campaign’s progress.

She said the hospital was now working on organizing a brick-buying project. The campaign would allow people to buy a brick and have a name or a message engraved into it. The bricks would be placed around the fountain near the western entrance to the hospital. Prices would be $250 to $500, depending on the size of the brick.

The fundraising efforts are part of a $40 million expansion at the hospital. The expansion will include a new emergency department, new surgery suites, additional birthing rooms, an improved intensive care unit and the conversion of semi-private patient rooms into private rooms.

Progress reported on expansion project

Construction work on the first phase of the expansion project is going well, LMH board members were told.

Crews are adding a third floor to the western wing of the building. Work on that portion of the project should be completed by the first week of July.

Gene Meyer, LMH president and chief executive officer, said parking at the hospital continues to be tight, but said that construction crews should soon begin rearranging some fencing on the east side of the building that will open up a handful of spaces.

The hospital also is hoping to add 125 spaces on the west side of the hospital by building parking closer to the portion of Arkansas Street that runs between Third and Fourth streets. The hospital expects to submit plans to City Hall for review later this week.