Orange Regional Medical Center set to open in 2011

Dear Editor,

Since the merger of Arden Hill Hospital with Horton Medical Center created Orange Regional Medical Center (ORMC) in 2002, the Board of Directors of ORMC has worked tirelessly with ORMC senior management to make the dream of a new, consolidated, state-of-the-art healthcare facility a reality for the citizens of Orange and Sullivan Counties. Today the new hospital is under construction and is expected to open in 2011.

To reach this point, ORMC has overcome numerous obstacles including: locating a suitable site, securing approval for bond financing, acquiring sufficient donations to the capital campaign (an ongoing effort), obtaining government approvals, and, of course, selling the two existing campuses to a buyer willing to allow ORMC to remain in its current buildings until the new hospital is completed and ready for occupancy.

The Gerry Foundation, working in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, facilitated the purchase and leaseback of the existing properties through two local development corporations (LDC’s) at a critical time – when the State of New York had mandated that the sale occur before construction could begin and, at a time when no other buyers had come forward with acceptable proposals. We all owe both organizations our gratitude for their timely support.

In the months leading up to the December 2007 public announcement of the sale/leaseback transaction with the LDC’s, ORMC representatives met with elected officials of the Village of Goshen, City of Middletown and Orange County as well as with the Orange County Partnership, the Goshen School District, Orange/Ulster BOCES and SUNY Orange to explore with them potential uses for the two sites. In addition, we made multiple presentations to local community groups including Service Clubs, Chambers of Commerce and senior citizen groups where we welcomed input on alternate uses for both campuses.

Throughout this period, ORMC has acted at all times with honesty, integrity and openness in order to serve the best interests of the community. Recently, the Elant organization claimed in an open letter to the community that ORMC was unwilling to meet with them to discuss the sale of the Arden Hill campus. This is patently untrue. In fact, on at least four occasions, ORMC’s Board members and/or senior management have met with their Elant counterparts to explore Elant’s interest in the Arden Hill campus. Elant was also provided detailed information about the Arden Hill facility to assist them in the preparation of their proposals. Unfortunately, the two purchase proposals that were submitted to ORMC by Elant (prior to the LDC assuming ownership of the property) were unacceptably low and not competitive. If Elant is truly interested in purchasing the Arden Hill campus, then submitting a competitive financial proposal to the Arden Hill LDC for review and consideration is the action to take; not spreading fear in the community, political posturing, or making false accusations against their good neighbors at ORMC.

I want to reaffirm that ORMC has only one goal in mind: to build our new hospital to provide the best healthcare for each and every member of our community – a community that embraces all residents of Orange County, Sullivan County and neighboring towns and villages. We believe that our community is deserving of a new hospital – the first new hospital built in New York State in over twenty years – and we are all proud to be a part of this important and historic project.

Sincerely and On Behalf of the Orange Regional Medical Center Board of Directors,

Ginny Rizzo

Chair