Northwest Hospital's Accomplishments of 2009

As we say farewell to 2009, LifeBridge Health is taking a look at some of the major events of the past year. Today, we remember the opening of the new breast care center at Northwest Hospital.

Of all the changes at Northwest Hospital in 2009, a highlight was the opening of the newly renovated Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center.

The center has some of the most advanced cancer detection technologies and treatment approaches – such as digital mammography, breast MRI, breast biopsy and multi-D cancer conferences, all in a comfortable and warm environment. It opened in June and is now located next to the main entrance of Northwest. The center is shepherded by breast surgeon and medical director Dawn Leonard, M.D., pictured at right with Northwest Hospital president Erik Wexler.

The center was made possible through a $100 million expansion and renovation project that ended in June. This multi-year fundraising effort, called the Renaissance Campaign, netted over $7 million in community support and grant funding. Other upgrades debuting in 2009 included the opening of the Sara and David S. Brown Outpatient Lobby, unique with its use of aromatherapy and calming music to soothe visitors, plus renovation of the main lobby and a new main entrance canopy.

The main lobby was renamed in honor of the Northwest Hospital Auxiliary in August.

Other construction at Northwest includes a pedestrian bridge that crosses Carlson Lane, connecting the hospital to a new professional building. By mid-2010, this building will house Northwest administrative offices, a pharmacy and the ambulatory surgery suite with four new operating rooms.