News

Finding the right way to seamlessly and cost-effectively merge old and new is a knack we and our frequent partners AHFD have perfected over several decades of working with community hospitals.  So when Phelps Memorial Health Center, a 45+ year old critical access hospital in Nebraska, approached us to literally rebuild their hospital around some of their recent investments, we were ready for the challenge.  They’d already made one attempt with a master plan developed by a competitor.  This competitive plan would have taken 36 months to construct and would have still left Phelps with an aging building housing new services.  JJCA’s design combines all patient services into new space with administration services utilizing existing space.

Phase 2A of of the project, 26,300 square feet of new construction, is near completion with an open house scheduled for June 1.  This phase includes Same Day Surgery, a new lab, a new emergency department, a new front lobby and entrance canopy, admissions, a new kitchen and dining area, and a connector into the existing building.

According to CEO Mark Harrel, not only was the recent phase completed on-time and under budget, but the patients are so comfortable in the new surroundings that they don’t seem to want to leave!

The remaining two phases, 2B and 2C will focus on renovation.  Phase 2B is underway.

When it comes to vintage base ball, JJCA’s Tim Morgan is a true artist, hurling one pluck after another over the dish resulting in a quick three hands dead.  (Translation: Tim’s a proficient player, throwing one strike after another over home plate to get three quick outs. )  Tim is part of a new base ball league that’s anything but new when it comes to the rules, the uniforms and especially, the terminology.   For now, there are only two teams in the Tennessee Association of Vintage Base Ball League, but that is expected to grow.   In the first official game, held Sunday, May 5th, the Franklin Farriers and the Nashville Maroons duked it out, with Tim’s team, the Farriers, scoring 5 “tallies”  in the 9th inning to tie the game and then beating the Maroons by one “tally” in the 10th inning.  It was an exciting start to this throwback to how the game (originally two words, base ball) was played in the 1860′s!

Eighteen years is a really long time.  And in today’s society, when people change jobs nearly as often as they change their socks, eighteen years is an eternity.  So it was bittersweet to celebrate Julia Covington’s eighteen-year career with JJCA in March and to wish her luck as she “heads back to college”.  We will stay in touch with Julia, our partner and friend, as she begins her new career as Associate Director of Campus Planning for Vanderbilt University.

Julia has left an indelible mark on all of us for which we are very grateful. Her work at JJCA was characterized by upbeat personal service, a cheerful disposition, and dedication to her clients and projects. The transition has gone very smoothly and if you would like more information, let David Brown or David Johnson know!