TJ Samson Pavilion Third Floor Expansion

By Cherie Vaughan

Jobe Publishing, Inc.

 

T.J. Regional Health, as it is now called, held a Legislator Appreciation Reception to reveal the start of construction on the third floor of the Pavilion. The first two floors of the T.J Health Pavilion opened in 2013 with plans to expand to the third floor in the future. Now, with double-digit growth every year since the Covid pandemic, the third floor is needed to accommodate a new OB/GYN Department and other new providers, as well as space for Resident Doctors.

Many elected officials and business people from the community were on hand to participate in the celebration. Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health, kicked off the celebration by welcoming everyone.

“Today’s celebration is happening for two reasons,” Thornbury said, “one to step back and thank all those who were instrumental in the implementation of the making this expansion happen, and two, to announce this $6.8-million-dollar project of the third floor that will start construction next year.”

“Back in 2013, all of those involved had the opportunity to sign one of the support beams that is now part of the original structure. It is because of the forethought then that we are where we are today,” Thornbury said.

He attributes the growth to the exceptional staff and facilities T.J. Health offers.

“You want to take your family member where you feel you will get the best care and be close to home. That is why we have been building clinics in the surrounding rural areas like Metcalfe, Allen, and Adair counties with our newest location being built in Smiths Grove of Warren County,” he added.

Brett Guthrie, 2^nd Congressional District of Kentucky, spoke next. He talked about the health care system in Europe and challenged anyone to find a facility this nice anywhere in Europe in a town comparable in size to Glasgow. He mentioned the coordination necessary to get the funds and backing for a project like this.

Steve Riley, 23^rd District State House of Representatives, praised Senator David Givens for his efforts in the Senate to make this project happen.

Riley also applauded the involvement of his fellow representatives, Amy Neighbors of Metcalfe, Monroe, Cumberland, and Adair Counties as well as Shawn McPherson of Simpson, Allen, and Warren Counties.

“They recognized the need for clinics in their districts and were instrumental in their acquisition,” Riley said of Neighbors and McPherson.

“Having family members in the health care industry, T.J. is important to us,” Riley also said.

Michael Saridakis, MD and Chief of Surgery shared, “There have been over three million patient encounters in the history of the hospital with currently 90 providers employed seeing 1,000 patients a day.”

Glasgow Mayor Henry Royse commented said the day was a “history making day.”

“Barren County is only one of two counties to receive two judgment awards,” Royse said. “One to replace the aging lights at the airport and one for the third-floor project.” He joked about the symbolism of installing a third-floor button in the elevator in anticipation of the expansion of the third floor. The button works going up, but is not connected yet coming back down.

Thornbury’s closing remarks emphasized the intimacy and passion that is felt.

“Everyone wants to see a friendly face. We will continue with that for another 95 years,” Thornbury said. He ended by commending his exceptional staff and the leadership of the Board of Directors.

Tours of the third-floor shell were given by Randy Burns, Director of Community Mission Foundation, and Jenny Cerwinske, Executive Vice President and Head of Employee Provider Services. When asked when construction would begin, she said, “First, USDA has to sign off in the next six months, then bids for construction can start in about eight months.”