PORT CHARLOTTE — Charlotte County School Board and county commissioners, health department officials, rape crisis volunteers and other community leaders toured HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital’s new expansion late Thursday.
More than 250 leaders learned about the $60 million expansion and renovation project at 21298 Olean Blvd, Port Charlotte.
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital CEO Michael Ehrat gave tours showing off the many new upgrades including pre-operative treatment bays, critical care units, main lobby renovations, a new chapel and coffee shop, the operating room; waiting and meeting rooms and new registration areas.
Ehrat told guests the expansion would help improve the “health and wellbeing” of hospital patients and others from Charlotte County and surrounding areas, the hospital serves.
There are also new physician and staff locker rooms and lounge spaces.
During the tour, Ehrat pointed to a group of volunteers who help greet patients at the registration area.
Cherri Jack stood up and welcomed everyone to the hospital. The North Port resident has been a volunteer for a year and a half.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the hospital,” she said. “We pretty much do anything we are asked. We are sometimes the first person a patient sees. We understand they may be in pain and they need help. We reassure them that they are in the right place. We help their families.”
Janet Walker worked with volunteers at the hospital for 27 years before retiring and returning as a volunteer.
“The expansion is wonderful,” she said. “A lot has changed here. This is a state of the art facility. It’s beautiful.”
Three-year volunteer Jim Roe agreed.
“This hospital was built in 1975,” he said. “It’s gone through a few owners, but HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has invested a lot of money into it. It’s now a top-notch hospital that anyone would be proud to use. I enjoy volunteering here.”
For more information, call 941-629-11181 or visit heafloridahealthcare.com
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