New Hospital update

Jeff Lingerfelt, President of Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley gave an update on the new hospital at the monthly Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council meeting on April 4. He said that code compliance adjustments should be completed by mid-May. There had been problems with gaps in at least 28 doors, pharmacy certification and the height of counter tops in the lab station had to be adjusted. He added that the projected opening for the hospital is this July. He thanked the Tehachapi Healthcare District Guild for their generous donation of $600,000 which will be used to help pay for the new $2.2 million surgery unit. He also reported that he has had inquiries from doctors interested in coming to Tehachapi, including surgeons, orthopedists and specialists in ophthalmology and obstetrics.

He said that AHTV plans to partner with the school district and local churches to develop programs that would help keep people out of the hospital. Adventist Health partners with World Vision in the Central Valley to distribute items like diapers, formula and furniture to people in need. He said that as Costco does not restock returns, they donate them to World Vision for distribution.

GTEDC meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Slice of Life Enrichment School, 48771 W Valley Blvd. For more information visit their website http://www.tehachapiedc.com.