Speaker for October 6 - Mike Ellingson & Mary Schmitz

Mike Ellingson the Vice President of Marketing and Development for Community Memorial Hospital (“CMH”) led a presentation on the status of the hospital remodel and construction.  The plan includes modernizing the hospital in Ojai and constructing a new building in Ventura.  

The new building is scheduled to open in approximately three and one-half years.  The next twelve months will be dedicated to excavating dirt about 60 feet deep and installing approximately 2200 pillars.  The second twelve months will focus on erecting the steel frame of the building.  The final months will be spent enclosing the structure and outfitting the interior.  At this time, engineers are testing pillar strength, and the planners are in the final stages of obtaining the necessary building permits.

Mary Schmitz, the Director of Development, discussed the hospital’s campaign to raise $25 million for this project.  Currently, the focus is on an internal campaign in which the hospital looks to its doctors, staff, and supporters for donations.  Thereafter, the focus will shift to a public campaign.  $6.5 million has already been raised.

We were treated to a viewing of the hospital’s promotional video which focused on how CMH has touched the lives of those in our community.  We heard Tami’s story of being treated for breast cancer, Dave’s story of being treated for chest pains, and Will’s story of having back surgery.  All three were quite impressed with the hospital staff and eternally grateful for the care they received. 

Deborah A. Perkins