New Angel Medical Center Design Nearly Complete, Groundbreaking to Happen Before End of Year

As Angel Medical Center (AMC) has navigated, along with all of you, a new way of life and care provision in the wake of COVID-19, life is still not “back to normal.” Ultimately, our “normal” may be different from what came before it.

There’s no question that it has been a challenging time for our community, and the world. This month, however, I’m pleased to update you on the progress of the new Angel Medical Center (AMC) because the strategic planning, facility design, and logistical preparation necessary to bring this project to life have continued on, despite the recent upheaval.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with a talented team of designers from HCA Healthcare whose specific expertise in healthcare facility design. They’ve worked to bring our vision for the new facility to reality. The first step was assessing the patient and community needs in our new hospital. Once the space plan and services were established, the national architectural standards were analyzed and incorporated into the plan. Other details considered in the plan are functional layouts, furniture that is easy to clean, the proximity of services, and incorporating features that create a comfortable, healing environment.
It’s also helpful to think of the fact that our hospital must meet many different needs — those of staff, caregivers, and patients. We needed space for the storage of supplies and equipment close to where our staff cares for our patients. We wanted to encourage patient caregivers to stay with our patients, so we need a family space that is comfortable and promotes family-centered care. We also want to incorporate unique elements from Franklin and our county in the design of the new hospital.

The new AMC will be easy to access, so patients can quickly find the department where they are seeking care. Signage will also be clear, providing wayfinding for our patients and families. Once a patient enters the hospital’s main entrance and is registered, they will be within steps of any outpatient services they need. The Emergency Department will also be on the hospital’s first level and clearly marked, and the location of our helicopter pad will be close to the Emergency Department to make patient transport efficient. The second floor will be totally focused on the care of our inpatients, and will provide a quiet, healing environment for them and their families. The interior of the new AMC started to evolve when I spent two days with our design team from HCA Healthcare in early March. We worked with an interior design inspiration board, reviewed renderings, and made decisions about materials and finishes, with the goal of making our new space convey warmth and comfort. Glass elements will allow abundant natural light into the hospital, and inviting furniture will be situated so as to make guests feel comfortable, but not crowded.

This goal will also be realized by using a warm and inviting color palette grounded in soft grays, blues, and greens – the colors of nature. A nature-based feeling will also be incorporated into our main lobby, which will feature a dramatic natural stone wall, and our cafeteria, whose glass wall and doors will be accented with an etched tree motif.

Another appealing aspect of the design is the use of local landmarks. Examples include the use of the Smoky Mountains and Wayah Bald fire tower in our design. You will also recognize the influence of our region’s Scottish heritage on the facility’s furnishings.

Patient rooms will be significantly larger and able to accommodate visitors and staff more comfortably. “Smart Room” technology will also improve the coordination of care for our patients and allow the patient to manage their communication with the nurses and their own comfort.

When the design is finalized, we will submit a detailed set of construction drawings to the state for approval. Once we have the state of North Carolina’s approval, we anticipate breaking ground on the new hospital. Exciting things are happening at the hospital as we envision offering you care in a state-of-the-art, efficient, and beautiful facility. There’s still a great deal of work to be done before we host a ribbon-cutting, but we are well on our way. We appreciate the support and patience of our community as we move forward toward the reality of our new hospital.

Karen S. Gorby, RN, MSN, MBA, CENP, FACHE, is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of Angel Medical Center. Gorby is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). For nearly three decades, she has served hospitals and health systems in Ohio before assuming her role at Angel Medical Center. Gorby received her MSN from Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, and her MBA from Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio.

ABOUT ANGEL MEDICAL CENTER

Angel Medical Center, a member of Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is a full-service community hospital serving Macon and the surrounding counties. Located in Franklin, North Carolina, Angel Medical Center is a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital offering inpatient services that include an intensive care unit, and a medical and surgical unit. Angel Medical Center has also been named an Acute Stroke Ready hospital by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Outpatient services include a wound clinic, chemotherapy services, a full laboratory, digital mammography, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, rehab therapy, as well as surgical and endoscopy services. The hospital also operates Mission My Care Now Franklin and CarePartners Hospice & Home Health. For more information, please visit missionhealth.org/angel.

ABOUT MISSION HEALTH

Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare, is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and is the
state’s sixth-largest health system. Mission Health operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, long-term acute care provider Asheville Specialty Hospital and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. With approximately 12,000 colleagues and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit missionhealth.org or @MissionHealthNC.

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