Just two and a half years ago Lawrence Memorial Hospital broke ground for a three-phase, 165,000-square-foot $45 million campus expansion project. At times, construction has been disruptive, inconvenient and noisy for patients, staff, visitors and neighbors. But we knew we faced only temporary challenges and kept our focus on the future. Look at us now! As we approach the home stretch of the project, we reflect on our goal to create a first-class health care facility that supports physicians, nurses and other hospital staff in delivering the best and safest medical care for patients in our region.

Already, the need for the expansion has been proven. LMH is taking care of more patients than ever before. As we celebrated the KU Jayhawks' victories, we were thankful our expanded emergency facilities were up to the task of accommodating the revelers. An especially hard flu season meant more and sicker patients in our new nursing units. The addition of new services, such as vascular surgery, brings new patients to our doors. The final phase of expansion, a new 42,000-square-foot surgical services facility, is taking shape before our eyes.

Early in 2009 LMH will unveil six up-to-date, technology-equipped, efficiently designed operating suites with room to expand to eight as our needs grow. Evaluating the region's needs is an ongoing process that guides our planning for the future. Even before the expansion project is complete, LMH is focusing on the future.