Your SupportOn July 25th, the administration at Silver Cross Hospital announced its intention to build a replacement medical center on a new site 3 miles east of its present campus. This exciting, bold plan envisions a 4-tower complex with state-of-the-art technical facilities and beautiful, spacious private rooms large enough to accommodate patients, visitors and medical equipment. The need for such a move is pressing; the present hospital’s original building was built in the 19th century. Subsequent additions have been added over several generations with each new building not quite meshing with the older ones. Room for expansion gradually diminished such that to add a new patient tower currently on the old campus would be difficult, awkward and expensive. Starting from scratch would not only give us a better facility but will actually be cheaper. It is uncommon for hospitals to have an opportunity to move—but not unprecedented. In 1964, St. Joseph Hospital wisely moved from its antiquated original location on Broadway to the present site 2 1/2 miles west. Juts as it did for the move of St. Joseph Hospital, the Silver Cross location promises to provide an improvement of services that only a new facility can provide. No longer constrained by the legacy of an outdated physical plant and a location that is difficult to get to, the new facility will be a tabula rasa placed at the intersection of I-355 and Rt. 6, generally improving access. Despite kudos for the idea from most corners, there have been some local citizens that have voiced concerns. They suggest that Silver Cross is moving away from the community it services. Those that voice this complaint are at best misguided since the new facility will not only continue to serve the same people that it currently does, but will do so at an even higher standard of care. The real beauty of the new location is that the number of people serves will dramatically increase as the new site will be more accessible and more centrally located for the population already being served. Joliet’s residents should whole-heartedly support the move because it will give them access to a better healthcare facility. As physicians, we of course are excited about working in the new Silver Cross Hospital. As long-time residents of Will County, we commend the improvement in medical care this will provide for ourselves and our families as well as our patients. We at Heartland Cardiovascular Center who have served Joliet and Will/Grungy Counties for more than 25 years not only endorse the plan but congratulate the administration at Silver Cross on their vision and commitment to the future. Sincerely, 
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