Ticonderoga, N.Y. (November 14, 2018) – The University of Vermont Health Network - Elizabethtown Community Hospital today hosted an open house to celebrate the completion of the $9.1 million project to transform the former Moses Ludington Hospital facility, now the hospital’s Ticonderoga Campus.

Hospital leaders were joined by Senator Betty Little, community leaders and local residents to mark the milestone and to tour the newly remodeled radiology and rehabilitation and physical therapy departments.

“Today’s an exciting day as we celebrate the transformation of our Ticonderoga Campus,” said John Remillard, president, Elizabethtown Community Hospital. “Our goal as we embarked on this project was to ensure continued local access to the high-quality care in a modern, efficient facility. It was an ambitious goal and one that required all of us to look at how we deliver health care in our community differently, but with the support of the University of Vermont Health Network, NYS Department of Health, Senator Betty Little and many others, I’m proud to say we’ve more than met that goal.”

The Latest in Screening Technology in a More Convenient Setting

Renovations to the Ticonderoga Campus radiology department have created a larger, more efficient, patient–friendly space.  All radiology and imaging services are now located off the lobby in one central area with a dedicated waiting and registration area.  The space includes two x-ray rooms and a CT scan room, ultrasound, mammography, bone density scanning and access to a mobile MRI unit. Private dressing rooms for patients to prepare for various tests were added for increased comfort and privacy.

Additionally, the transformed department is now equipped with advanced digital mammography equipment, often only found in larger health care facilities, and a new ultrasound unit, thanks to the generous donations of the Charles R. Wood Foundation and the Moses Ludington Auxiliary.

The Glens Falls-based Charles R. Wood Foundation awarded Elizabethtown Community Hospital with a $254,000 grant to purchase and install a Hologic 3D mammography unit. The Wood Foundation had previously awarded the Ticonderoga facility with $185,000 in funding for screening equipment.

“The Charles R. Wood Foundation is very pleased to be able to provide support for the purchase of such an important piece of medical equipment,” said Charlene Wood, Charles R. Wood Foundation board chair. “We are committed to providing assistance in health care, especially in the North Country where there are fewer resources. “

The Moses Ludington Auxiliary raised $16,500 for the purchase of new ultrasound unit.

“For more than 35 years, our members have raised funds to purchase equipment and enhance patient comfort and care here in Ticonderoga,” said Phyllis Smith, Auxiliary president. “As we celebrate a new beginning for the Campus, we’re so proud to have been able to support the improvements to the radiology department through our donation.”

“We renovated our radiology department so we could improve patient care, access and comfort”, said Molly Thompson, medical imaging director, Elizabethtown Community Hospital. “The addition of this new state-of-the-art 3-D mammography and ultrasound equipment compliments that goal perfectly by helping us to detect breast cancer earlier and more accurately, saving lives and reducing the unnecessary stress and financial costs that comes with unnecessary follow ups.”

“We are grateful to the members of the Wood Foundation and the Moses Ludington Auxiliary for their ongoing generosity and shared commitment to ensuring that women in our community have access to the most up-to-date and advanced screening and diagnostic mammography services right here at home,” said Remillard. “The Network’s vision is ‘working together, we improve peoples’ lives’ and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

A State-of-the-art Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Department

The final phase of the Ticonderoga Campus transformation was the reconfiguring of the rehabilitation and physical therapy department into a more efficient space. The new space offers four private exam rooms and an open, spacious gym area with state-of-the-art equipment.  The department specializes in physical, occupational and speech therapy and sports injury rehabilitation services.

“Our rehabilitation and physical therapy department has always been staffed by skilled, knowledgeable therapists who treat a wide range of problems,” said William Doherty, physical therapy director, Elizabethtown Community Hospital. “The difference now is that they have a well-designed, efficient space in which to provide that high-quality care, ensuring successful outcomes for all our patients.”’

Earlier Construction Phases

The 18-month, phased transformation of the Ticonderoga Campus included the renovation and modernization of every clinical department in the facility.

Renovations to the outpatient specialty clinic space were completed in the fall of 2017.  The dedicated space allows more specialists to offer regular clinics in Ticonderoga so patients no longer have to travel as far or as often to receive routine and advanced specialty services.

The new emergency department opened this spring, with a much larger, brighter space for staff to provide care with a private registration area, family waiting room and observation beds, for patients requiring additional care and monitoring. At the same time, the renovated pharmacy and lab space was completed. Both are now located close to the emergency department, and adjacent to the main lobby, making it convenient for patients. Since reopening in March, the Emergency Department has experienced a significant increase in patient visits and is on pace to treat an additional 400 patients annually.

In addition to Ticonderoga Campus’ physical transformation, the former Moses Ludington Hospital became part of Elizabethtown Community Hospital in April.  As part of the University of Vermont Health Network, Ticonderoga area residents now have access to all the benefits of a leading health network right here at home.

To learn more about the many services offered at the Ticonderoga Campus, please visit www.ech.org.