Join us for a tour of Holland Hospital's newly-renovated facility and an informal hors d’oeuvre and beverage reception.

6-9 p.m., Wednesday
September 12, 2007

Holland Hospital
602 Michigan Avenue
Holland, MI 49423

Photos

Visit the photo gallery of Holland Hospital's newly-renovated facility

Lakeshore Alumni Get Sneak Peak at New Hospital Wing

Weeks before the new Holland Hospital opened its doors to the public, Calvin alumni had a chance in early September to tour the state-of-the-art, 60,000 square foot space thanks to Calvin Around Town.

The popular event series, sponsored by the Calvin Alumni Association, made its debut on the Michigan lakeshore to an appreciative audience of more than 150 people.

"Holland Hospital was a wonderful venue to have the inaugural Lakeshore Calvin Around Town,” said Donna Joyce, alumni programs coordinator.

Dr. William Vander Vliet ’71, vice president of medical affairs for the hospital, helped to arrange the visit.

"We had a window of opportunity between the end of construction and the opening of the facility to have the Lakeshore Chapter of the Alumni Association come," said Vander Vliet, "and we're happy to have this event work out."

Diane Dood Ryckbost ‘74, a leader in the Lakeshore alumni chapter, was also instrumental in organizing the event. Her late father, Dr. Arnold Dood ‘49, was Holland Hospital’s first pathologist. 

Young and old came to the event, with representatives from the class of 2007 and 1935, and everything in between. 

The oldest alumni representative, Art Brink ’35, said he was excited about socializing with the others gathered for the tour, though most of his Calvin friends have passed on.

For other attendees it was nice to finally have the chance to attend a Calvin Around Town event close to home.  For George Heerema '68 the evening had an added poignancy:  all three of his children were born at Holland Hospital.

The new wing in the hospital features a special care nursery for premature or ill infants , a state-of-the-art intensive care/telemetry unit and expanded spaces for laboratory and pharmacy services. Additionally, the new wing and renovated spaces are marked by attention to family, patient and visitor needs, with a new chapel and healing garden, enhanced visitor lounges and spaces for families to sleep and even prepare small meals.

This latest expansion to the Holland Hospital is the biggest and most expensive of seven that have been undertaken since the hospital was founded ninety years ago. The $45 million project began in June 2004 and renovated 30,000 square feet of hospital space in addition to the new 60,000 square foot wing.

A half-hour presentation gave guests a formal introduction to the new Holland Hospital space. The presentation was not, however, without true Calvin moments. Dr. Vander Vliet was compelled to prove his little-known Calvin ties by presenting an original copy of the 1971 Calvin spoof, The Bananer to Alumni Relations Director, Mike Van Denend.

Van Denend accepted his gift amid “oohs” and “aahs,” and turned the focus of the evening back to Holland Hospital.

“Calvin is a place on the move, so we have a lot in common with Holland Hospital in that regard,” he said, referring to Calvin’s numerous construction projects.

Hospital marketing director Tim Breed replied by giving guests a hint of what the hospital construction site was like for the past three years.

“I don’t really want to see another crane or another dirt pile for a long time, thanks,” he said.

Calvin biology professor, Dr. Peter Tigchelaar, took part in the presentation, updating alumni on the state of the pre-med program he supervises.

“Nationally, one out of three students is admitted into medical school. Calvin places 75-80 percent of its applicants into medical school. Last year, 2006-2007, 28 of 31 pre-med students—that’s 90 percent—were placed,” said Tigchelaar. 

After the presentation, guests joined groups led by Holland Hospital staff to tour the new hospital wing.

For Carey Grill ‘04, the tour was much more than just an interesting activity, it was part of orientation for her new job. A Spring Lake resident, the Calvin Around Town event came at a great time for Grill. She joined the hospital staff the following Monday as a registered nurse.

~by Allison Graff, web communications coordinator

Questions?

(616) 526-6142
(616) 526-7069 FAX
cat@calvin.edu