CULLMAN, Ala. – The last of this year’s Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce community luncheons took place Friday at East Side Baptist Church, with Cullman Regional CEO James Clements as October’s keynote speaker.
Clements discussed the hospital’s recent expansion, the status of future expansions and the benefits he said that growth brings to the community. In addition to the 30-bed expansion and the opening of the Urgent Care and Imaging Center, Cullman Regional has added capabilities, including the Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) and 3D mammography, technology like the da Vinci Xi Surgical System for minimally-invasive surgical options for patients who have prostate, kidney, bladder or colon cancer, as well as for those in need of hernia repair, bariatric surgery or gynecological procedures, and the Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Surgery Program for knee and hip replacements.
About the new technologies, Clements said, “Opportunities are available when you marry a great surgeon with great technology.”
The first expansion at Cullman Regional was completed in in 2018. The final approval for the next expansion is expected to be given within the next six months.
Clements said the hospital has a simple philosophy: “To bring resources here to Cullman so people can stay home for health care.”
He said the completed $40 million expansion has brought in new physicians and at least 100 new positions. The upcoming $30 million project is aimed at improving critical and behavioral care and adding an additional 100 jobs.
According to Clements, Cullman Regional has experienced a $40 million increase in revenue over the past five years.
“The economic impact estimated from Cullman Regional according to the Alabama Hospital Association estimate is $243 million annually and 3,000 jobs,” he said. “The projects we have recently completed, $40 million in investment, which is just the technology part. The other part you have to marry it with is the human element. We’ve added 203 jobs in the last 24 months to marry both sides.”
Copyright 2019 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
