KADLEC QUALITY Site Visit & Presentation
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KADLEC MEDICAL CENTER Wendy Gehrig - Education Department
May 05, 2009 Kadlec Medical Center
When Kadlec first opened its doors in 1944, the hospital was established to care for the Hanford area workers and their families. The original, one-story building was over 55,000 square feet and located on the site of the Corrado Medical Building. It was a traditional "army" facility, with a central hall and wings shooting off the hall.
One of the hospital's first patients was Lt. Col. Harry R. Kadlec, Deputy Area Engineer and Chief of the Construction for the Army Corps of Engineers at Hanford and a key figure in the operation of the project. Col. Kadlec was said to have literally worked himself to death. He suffered a heart attack on July 2, 1944 and subsequently died at the hospital which was to bear his name. His was the first death in the new facility. Upon his death, flags at the Hanford area were lowered to half-mast and government workers were given time off to attend his services, which were held in the old Richland High Auditorium. On July 10, 1944, the Richland Hospital was renamed Kadlec Hospital. During the first year, the hospital served 3,153 patients.
Fast forward to today … where over 50,000 patient visits were recorded to Kadlec’s emergency department in 2008. That’s double the ER visits eight years ago and about 4000 more patients than last year. In recent years, Kadlec has expanded both in physical size/layout as well as equipment and services offered, which now includes cardiovascular, neurological and other specialized services that were not available locally a few years ago. Kadlec is home to a growing open heart surgery and interventional cardiology program, the region's only Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a world-class all digital outpatient imaging center as well as a number of other innovative services and programs.
As a non-profit, private corporation governed by local volunteer trustees, decisions are made with the community's best interests in mind. Dedicated to providing not only some of the latest high-tech medical equipment, Kadlec team members are also committed to providing all patients with compassionate, high quality care.
Join us on May 5 for a special tour with Wendy Gehrig, who will also share information about Kadlec’s services, and some of the processes and tools they use to ensure quality in all aspects of the services they provide. Space is very limited for this visit, so get your reservation in as soon as possible. Attendees are asked to wear closed shoes (no sandals).
Wendy Gehrig has been with the Kadlec Education Department for seven years. In her role as Student Services Specialist, she provides tours, and coordinates and implements programs for student placements, internships and job shadows. She also coordinates clinical observations for visiting professionals and health industry representatives. She is a member of the Health Science Advisory Committees for both Columbia Basin College and Bellevue Community College.
Logistics
Kadlec Medical Center 888 Swift Boulevard Richland, Washington (509) 946-4611
5:45 p.m. - Check in Meet in the Main Lobby
6:00 p.m. - Tour/Presentation (will last about an hour)
If you are interested in getting together at a local pizza or other restaurant following the tour for a no-host snack and networking, please indicate when making your reservation.
Note: There is no cost for members or guests for this meeting.
Due to size limitations and for planning purposes, Reservations are requested by April 28th. Please send an e-mail to Alvin Langstaff with your name, phone number, company affiliation, and type of reservation. Or call Alvin at (509) 371-2221.
NOTE: All no-shows will be billed unless canceled 48 hours in advance.
