A crowd of about 100 people gathered beneath a canopy tent above Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma at the site of the future home of the wellness center on Sept. 15.
Summit Pacific employees and administration, staff from the United States Department of Agriculture, staff from the City of Elma, representatives from the county, and residents all gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony. Among the tables draped with thick cloth were white bouquets.
At the front of the tent, the dirt lot behind him, Summit Pacific board chair Andrew Hooper emceed the groundbreaking ceremony.
Speaking were USDA State Director Peter McMillin, Chris Bandoli, senior vice president of the Washington State Hospital Association, Dru Garson of Greater Grays Harbor Inc., Brent Meldrum, foundation and capital campaign representative, and Summit Pacific CEO Josh Martin.
When the project is complete, a 60,000 square foot facility with three levels will provide therapy services and support staff, education rooms, a cafe, labs for radiology and imaging, a pharmacy and mental health care providers. It won’t just feature rooms for patients to see doctors — it’ll be a place of community education that includes cooking courses focused on nutrition. There also will be a play area for children.
Peter McMillin called the wellness center “truly innovative” and he commended former Summit Pacific CEO Renee Jensen for her work to move the project forward.
“You know what I like about this? It’s innovative,” McMillin said. “I would be remiss to not acknowledge Renee Jensen, really where this work began at.”
Bandoli highlighted the general aspects of what the wellness center would bring, but he lauded the plans to bring in classes for the community.
“The part that I was really excited about when I was reading about this and the thing that I really want to go to the other hospitals and share is the community aspect that you’re bringing in — the cooking courses, because nutrition is such a critical component of a healthy life,” Bandoli said.
Martin noted that the wellness center is part of an overall plan for Summit Pacific.
“Thanks to the generous and ongoing support of our partners and to all of you, we are moving forward toward building the healthiest community in the nation,” Martin said. “As you’ve heard from everyone today, this facility will be a hub not only for achieving health and wellness, but also economic development and stability, and it will be an important resource for many generations to come.”
Following a toast, Summit Pacific administration, board members and staff took turns holding shovels for photos. Commemorative glasses were handed out.
