The project, costing an estimated $4.5 million, finished the 17,500 square foot floor with patient rooms for the 5th floor that can be used for the first time since the six-story Tower was opened in 1997. The Tower is named for Landon Wyatt, Jr., who served on the Board of Directors of the Medical Center for 30 years, 24 of them as Chairman.

The public is invited to tour the 5th floor Friday, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. -noon, and Sunday from noon - 3 p.m. Guests will receive free T-shirts, free health screenings, giveaways, gift bags and refreshments. Events are tied together under the theme of "The Danville Region Deserves a High Five," referring to the need of the community to join in a celebration.

The floor will open for patients on Tuesday, February 21.

The 5th floor accommodates up to 46 patients and includes nursing stations and offices for clinical employees. The patient rooms have 325 square feet, much larger than the 240 square foot rooms that they replace in the old "J" building of the Medical Center.

The rooms are large enough to accommodate two patients, said Art Doloresco, CEO. "Some rooms may be private, depending on the patient census," he said.

The rooms are bright with crisp colors. They will receive lots of sunshine since the building faces south. Each room has a private bath and shower.

"Patients will appreciate the spaciousness of the rooms and the increased privacy they provide," said Parrish Lewis, RN, Director of Inpatient Medical Services. "Visitors will appreciate the improved convenience to get to the rooms."

Visitors to the 5th floor will welcome the convenient location. Elevators to the 5th floor are a few steps from the Information Desk in the main lobby.

"We hope patients and their visitors will appreciate the caring environment these rooms offer," Lewis continued. "We recognize the importance that family and friends play in making patients comfortable while in the hospital and encourage their visits."

The project had a significant impact on the economy of the Danville area. All Danville subcontractors who bid on jobs for the project were selected. "We believe that new jobs and additional purchase of materials in the Danville region resulted from our selection of these subcontractors," said Doloresco.

Danville area subcontractors selected were:

• Piedmont Glass of Danville, glass, glazing and automatic entrances


• J. W. Squire Co. of Danville, tile, resilient flooring and carpeting


• Riverview Plumbing & Heating of Hurt, mechanical and plumbing


• Wise-Hundley Electric Company of Danville, electrical systems

The general contractor is Skanska USA Building, Inc., the successor to Beers Construction. Beers was the contractor for the Wyatt Tower, which opened in 1997. Skanska is a large contractor with extensive hospital construction experience.

Completion of the 5th and 6th floors was a commitment made by LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. which purchased Danville Regional. Construction will begin soon on the build-out of the 6th floor. By the end of this year, LifePoint will have spent nearly $26 million improving healthcare at Danville Regional since the purchase in July, 2005.