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Business & Tech

Winthrop Unveils New $4.5 Million Main Entrance

Larger doors, handicap access ramps and fountain highlight additions to First Street entrance.

First impressions are everything.

The main entrance to  off First Street where patients are both welcomed and discharged recently underwent an expensive $4.5 million facelift to become more aesthetically pleasing.

The project, which began a little over 2 years ago, faced numerous challenges as a result of the 110-year old foundation the hospital is built on, including difficulties drilling which resulted in construction taking place in phases. The hospital has occupied the property since 1900.

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But the renovation was a necessity according to Winthrop External Affairs and Development Vice President John Broder since the number of patients receiving care at Winthrop is rising.

“One of the major concerns that we had is that there has been a considerable increase in the volume of patients coming to Winthrop University Hospital,” Broder said. “We’ve grown significantly over the past few years and we’re concerned about the capacity of that main entrance to handle the volume of patients.”

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Two of the main components of the new entrance are larger automated doors and handicap accessible ramps, which are double the size of the old ones. The improvement was made in an effort to make it easier for those with disabilities to get in and out of the hospital.

The hospital also added a marquee over the entrance to protect patients and their families from inclement weather. Broder noted that with the rough weather Mineola experienced over the past year, it was a necessary effort to make the trip to the hospital more welcoming.

“People appreciate the fact that they were able to get in and out of the car under cover and not get wet,” he said.

A fountain was also added to the left hand side of the entrance along with four benches and a patio to give workers, patients and family members an added place to relax during the day.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for family members to be able to sit outside in the nice weather in a very comfortable area,” Broder said. ”We have very nice teak benches up and down the promenade as you come in on the main entrance.”

Walter Hetzel noticed the changes immediately. He has been going to Winthrop for a long time – all three of his children were born there and while his wife was in surgery, he was waiting for her outside sitting near the new fountain area.

“I think sitting out here is a lot better than in a waiting room,” Hetzel said. “I’m enjoying it out here. I’ve been to quite a few hospitals, and this is the most comfortable.”

Another hospital patron described it as a “world class entrance.” Broder is pleased with the reaction to the entrance so far.

“They say it’s very calming, it’s very friendly, it’s very welcoming. That’s one of the things we wanted to accomplish.”

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