MDG cuts ribbon on rennovated facility

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • Kirtland Public Affairs

Kirtland Base Hospital officials marked the completion of a major facility renovation Aug. 1, with a ribbon cutting ceremony here.

Members of the 377th Medical Group celebrated by cutting a ceremonial ribbon on the first floor, in front of the new information desk and centralized check-in. People exploring the renovated facility could also see revamped waiting areas, new signage, furniture and décor.

The renovation, which began in November, 2015, was meant to bring the facility up-to-date, according to facility manager Dick Hart.

“The building was showing its age,” Hart said. “It was built in the late 80s and definitely needed to be modernized.” 

This included creating a better experience for patients, according to Lt. Col. Amanda Phlegar, 377th MDG deputy commander and administrator.

“The goal was to have a better customer flow and for a lot of our high traffic areas to be on the first floor and more easily accessible,” Phlegar said. “We wanted to open up and brighten the facility and give it a more modern look.”

Phlegar added that customers have dealt with a lot of changes during the renovation, and their patience is now being rewarded.

“We’ve had five different phases of this project, including a temporary facility outside, so our patients have had to get used to constant change, and people have been pretty good about it,” Phlegar said. “Now you can visually see where you’re at within the facility and we didn’t have that previously; and now we have better visuals and a centralized area to ask questions with our information desk.”

Additionally, more clinics have internal waiting areas and exam room equipment has also been updates.