By Nika Megino
Vacaville Fire Capt. Eric Ceremony lifts Avery Selzer, 4, into a fire truck so she can get a better look during VacaValley Hospital's 20th anniversary celebration and unveiling of its new surgery center on Saturday.
FAIRFIELD - Since NorthBay VacaValley Hospital opened its doors to its community in 1987, the Vacaville sister hospital of Fairfields NorthBay Medical Center has grown.
To honor its 20 years in operation, VacaValley Hospital representatives invited the community to its grounds to learn more about the centers facilities and services.
Children walked in and out of emergency vehicles to learn about the wonders of an ambulance and a fire truck. Adults walked along the hospitals service booths, which provided information on everything for Alzheimers Disease to basic nutrition.
But the excitement centered around the unveiling of the hospitals newest addition: A 12,000-square-foot surgery center.
The nonprofit hospital has evolved from 'a 50-bed hospital . . . to a campus with more sophisticated facilities and sophisticated services,' said Deborah Sugiyama, president of the NorthBay Healthcare Group.
'As the saying goes, Weve come a long way, baby, ' she said.
The $15 million surgery center includes three operating rooms, three procedure rooms and two pain management procedure rooms. It also features 12 pre-operation rooms and post-operation areas.
Attendees touring the center described it as beautiful and gorgeous.
About 80 percent to 85 percent of surgeries that dont require an overnight stay will be handled by the new center, located adjacent to the main hospital.
'The building is an example of how we can provide health-care services from Green Valley to North Solano County,' said Peter Zopfi, vice chair of the surgery center.
VacaValley representatives attributed the growth of the hospital to the community.
The establishment of the Vacaville center grew from the community voicing its need for a center in Vacaville, said Gary Passama, NorthBay Healthcare president and chief executive officer.
'Its this kind of grassroot support that continues the success of the hospital today,' Passama said.
The success of the hospital would be impossible without the talent, care and compassion of the VacaValley medical staff, said Mike Reagan, Solano County Board of Supervisors chairman.
'In todays very competitive health care system, its something I (and everyone) can be proud of,' Reagan said. 'NorthBay remains true to its original mission to provide health care to everybody regardless of their ability to pay.'
Reach Nika Megino at 427-6953 or nmegino@dailyrepublic.net.
