News A Different Kind of Groundbreaking: Kids' Shovels Herald Seton Southwest Expansion

AUSTIN, Texas - (January 4, 2012) - Seton Southwest hosted a different kind of groundbreaking Jan. 4 to kick off its $8.2 million expansion, which is to be completed in early 2013. Everyone present got the opportunity to wield plastic kids' sandbox shovels and ceremoniously turn some dirt in Seton Southwest's rear parking lot, where the expansion will occur.

Mary Faria, Seton Southwest VP and chief operating officer, hosted Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Monsignor Oliver Johnson, Sister Jean Wesselman, Seton Healthcare Family President and Interim CEO Jesus Garza, Seton Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer Tom Gallagher, Seton South Market President and CEO John Brindley and many other associates, physicians, supporters, media and special guests.

"Austin is fortunate to have a charity-based, person-centered medical provider like Seton Healthcare Family as one of our good neighbors," Mayor Leffingwell said. He also noted that Seton Southwest is the Oak Hill area's only hospital and its services need to grow along with the surrounding, fast-growing community.

Plastic shovels accompanied invitations that were personally delivered last week to many of those invited so they could bring the shovels back to the event this week. Dozens of other plastic shovels also were available at the event, along with hot cider and ginger cookies.

The exception was the ceremonial shovel from Seton's historical archives that has been used for groundbreakings dating back to 1969. Sister Jean, Monsignor Johnson and Mayor Leffingwell shared the honor of using it to turn dirt, which was placed atop the parking lot pavement that will be covered by the new building addition.

The expansion will add:
• A Level II nursery to our labor and delivery department.
• Three additional labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum beds, for a total of nine beds.
• Eight new post-partum-only beds.
• A covered drop-off area for patients coming into our emergency room.