SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new surgery floor addition at the Grand Junction Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center officially opened March 23 in Grand Junction, Colo. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District oversaw construction of the $13 million addition.
"It's very fulfilling," said Jason Redeen, resident engineer at the Sacramento District's Utah resident office, which managed the project. Redeen's grandfather is a veteran. "To be able to do something for the people that serve us," he added, "to create this third floor surgery wing to take care of their needs when they're done with their service...it's very fulfilling."
More than 30,000 square feet in size, the new floor will add several capabilities to the medical center, including two specialty operating rooms; two general operating rooms; five intensive care units; a pre-operation holding area; two endoscopy procedure rooms; a post-anesthesia care unit; and a sterile processing service.
Terry S. Atienza, the medical center director, thanked everyone involved in the project, reminding everyone that, "this project is about our veterans."
"They have been the foundation for this entire endeavor. Without them -- their sacrifices and devotion to our nation -- this human effort would never have come to fruition," he said.
The facility is expected to accommodate up to an additional 1,000 patients with the expansion.