Hospital opens refurbished wing

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Fowler
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The 374th Medical Group re-opened a large section of its second floor Dec. 19 following a six-month renovation which cost $2.1 million.

This is the first phase of a four phase project to renovate the entire hospital.

What used to be a surgical ward now serves as a same-day surgery, and used for mothers to deliver their babies and to recover afterwards. Many rooms are designed so that a mother can deliver her child and recover from the delivery in one room.

"The hope was to make it very convenient for families," said Col. Timothy Robinette, 374th Medical Group commander. "The new rooms allow families to be there for the mother and allow the mother stay in one place."

The third floor is the next on the renovation list and is expected to be finished by May 2008. Work will then begin on the fourth floor with an estimated completion date in summer 2009. No construction of new facilities is planned.

"We try to support the population here on Yokota," Colonel Robinette said. "The renovations [of the newly opened areas] will make it far more convenient for families."