NEARING COMPLETION — Members of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad and Nate Montoya, safety director for Trinity Medical Center West and a Marine Corps veteran, raised a U.S. flag and an Ohio state flag up the new flagpoles outside the hospital’s main entrance Thursday. The poles are among many finishing touches being made toward the completion of a $75 million addition to the hospital. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — The raising of a U.S. flag and an Ohio state flag from the new flagpoles in front of Trinity Medical Center West on Thursday offered officials an opportunity to pay tribute to the nation’s military, first responders and health care workers, but they also signaled completion in the near future of the hospital’s $75 million expansion.

Matt Grimshaw, chief executive officer of Trinity Health System, announced the project is in the final stages of construction and the addition is expected to be open for patient care in June.

Grimshaw said crews are installing patient monitoring devices and other information technology systems and completing flooring and other finishing touches while the city’s inspection process has begun.

“It’s really, really exciting,” he said.

Started in 2019, the project has involved a 183,400-square-foot addition extending from the former entrance to the heart center to the emergency room at the other end of the building.

Designed by ESa, a Nashville architectural firm, the addition incorporates a tower design inspired by the original Ohio Valley Hospital. Later renamed Trinity Medical Center East, the hospital merged with St. John Medical Center (now Trinity Medical Center West) to form the Trinity Health System more than 20 years ago.

The addition and other renovations support the creation of a third-floor surgical services hub, with 16 new progressive care beds for patients near the main operating rooms and an intensive care unit, and 36 single-patient rooms on the fourth and fifth floors.

Through the project, the hospital is able to offer private rooms to all of its patients. Hospital officials have stated the rooms are centered around a universal bed concept, reducing the need to move a patient when his or her needs change, and designed to more easily accommodate treatment by staff and visitors.

Overseen by J.E. Dunn, the work has involved a variety of contractors.

Grimshaw said the pandemic resulted in the work being delayed about 18 months, as adjustments were made to prevent spread of the coronavirus, while nationwide supply chain issues presented challenges.

“We’ve had a lot of supply chain issues. Fortunately, most mechanical systems were purchased and prefabricated earlier or it would have been far worse,” he said.

The flag ceremony involved members of the Ohio Valley Veterans Memorial Squad and Nate Montoya, the hospital’s safety director. A Marine Corps veteran currently serving in the National Guard, he’s slated for deployment this fall.

A prayer for all veterans, emergency departments and medical personnel was offered by Liz Schriner, mission leader for Trinity Health System.

Prior to the flag raising, Grimshaw recalled his father, a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific theater.

He noted his father’s favorite stories of the war involved his return home.

Grimshaw said his father spoke of the smiles displayed by fellow service members as their ship passed under San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge because they knew they were home.

He expressed appreciation to all who have served in the military.

With the flags in place, the veterans in attendance saluted them and the national anthem and taps were played.