Story by Carol Pappas
Photos courtesy of UAB
When St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital opened in a new facility overlooking Interstate 20 in 2011, the community welcomed it with a celebration worthy of a hero’s return.
It had outgrown the aging St. Clair Regional Hospital building it occupied since 1970, and it just couldn’t keep pace with one of the fastest growing counties in the state. But 15 years ago, that all changed with a new state-of-the-art hospital built to serve the county’s burgeoning population.
The population continues to soar, and needs have grown along with it.
That’s why when UAB Health System, Alabama’s largest employer with a worldwide reputation in medicine, bought Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System two years ago, officials in St. Clair welcomed the move with equal fervor. After all, it was a sizable step in keeping up with the momentum today’s fourth fastest growing county in the state.
It should come as no surprise that the local community has embraced the hospital, recognizing its integral role in quality healthcare here at home and is investing in its future.
Made possible through the Rural Hospital Investment Program, investments in new equipment have come from Metro Bank, $500,000; Goodgame Company, $250,000; and a 10% match from City of Pell City and St. Clair County. The program was created to help eligible rural hospitals across Alabama receive additional funding by providing a tax credit for qualifying donations made by Alabama taxpayers.
It helps eligible rural hospitals secure additional funding through tax-credit-qualified donations made by Alabama taxpayers and enables local investments in equipment, technology, and other critical healthcare needs that improve access to care for rural communities.
“We are incredibly grateful to our community partners for their vital support in helping us enhance the medical care we provide to our patients in St. Clair County and beyond,” Hospital Administrator Lisa Nichols said at a presentation recognizing the investment. “Their generosity allows us to invest in resources that strengthen access to care in the communities we serve.”
This funding will be used to purchase medical equipment for both providers and patients to help enhance the level of care they provide.
“We could not do what we do without the support of our community,” said Shiloh Swiney, chief nursing officer at UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair. “Investments like this reflect our community’s commitment to ensuring local residents can access the care they need close to home.”
“Quality health care is a critical part of a strong and growing community,” added State Sen. Lance Bell. “This local engagement is exactly the outcome we had envisioned when this program was recently created by the State Legislature. It allows state tax dollars to be redirected by local taxpayers to support local rural hospitals. UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair hospital is an incredible asset in our community.”
St. Clair County Economic Development Council Executive Director Don Smith agreed. “This investment in UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair by Metro Bank and Goodgame Company strengthens an asset that serves our residents, supports our workforce, and makes St. Clair County a better place to live and do business,” he said.
“We thank Senator Bell and the state legislators for creating a program where our local businesses, the City of Pell City and St. Clair County can work together to invest in the future of our community.”
At a special presentation where community leaders and healthcare partners gathered to celebrate the investments, Hospital Administrator Lisa Nichols said the funds generated will enable the purchase of 38 new hospital beds with cutting edge safety features and an ABG machine to treat patients with respiratory issues.
County Commission Chairman Stan Batemon called the presentation “an exciting day for our hospital and the health care of our citizens.” He noted that when UAB purchased the St. Vincent’s Health System, the St. Clair hospital was “one of the most desirable in that purchase.”
He, too, lauded the state’s formulation of a plan that encourages local investment, which bodes well for the future. “I see only good things for healthcare in St. Clair County.”
“The hospital is a vital part of our community, and Metro Bank recognizes just how much it means to the residents of Pell City and St. Clair County,” said Metro President Jason Dorough. “Our Board felt that participating in the Rural Hospital Investment Tax Credit program was an excellent way to give back to the community that has been so supportive of us.
“Rather than spending heavily on advertising, Metro Bank has always preferred to invest in projects that benefit our community. We also believe that strong healthcare services are critical to attracting new businesses and creating employment opportunities in Pell City.”
Jason Goodgame, president of Goodgame Company, talked of his strong ties to the hospital.
“Our connection to UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair goes back to the construction of the hospital itself, when Goodgame Company had the privilege of serving as construction manager for the St. Clair County Health Care Authority during the development of this facility,” Goodgame said.
“Because of that history, this investment is especially meaningful to us as a company and as a family. We have been proud to play a role in helping bring quality healthcare to St. Clair County, and we are honored to continue supporting the hospital’s mission through the Rural Hospital Investment Program.”
The partnership “demonstrates what can be accomplished when organizations work together to invest in the future of our community,” Goodgame said. “Together, we are helping ensure local residents continue to have access to quality healthcare close to home.”
