(Ottawa, IL / November 12, 2020) - OSF HealthCare has completed construction on a state-the-art transportation center adjacent to the OSF Center for Health – Streator.
The new transportation center will house the OSF King Care-A-Van in addition to ambulances from Advanced Medical Transport (AMT). It is located on OSF-owned property directly across the street from the OSF Center for Health freestanding Emergency Center. The medical office building to the west of the OSF Center for Health was demolished to make way for the project construction, which began in July.
The transportation center will be celebrated with a blessing on Friday, Nov. 13, at 11 a.m. to be held at transportation center, directly across the street from the Center for Health, 111 Spring Street in Streator. Interview and b-roll opportunities will be available to the media.
“The completion of the transportation center demonstrates the commitment of OSF HealthCare to serving the community,” said Don Damron, vice president of Ambulatory Services for OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. “It supports our efforts in the new rural healthcare model by helping to meet requirements for the freestanding emergency center, and positively impacting EMS access and timely transfers; it allows for storage of the OSF King Care-A-Van that is being used to serve our most vulnerable rural community members, and it strengthens community partnerships to meet the needs of the Streator community. We are excited to begin to utilize this new resource.”
The transportation center is 6,600-square-feet, providing inside storage protection for up to four ambulances, the OSF King Care-A-Van as well as the potential for two additional vehicles. The transportation center connects to the remaining office building which is being remodeled to provide sleep quarters for the EMS providers.
“The main benefit for us is that our ambulance units will be maintained in a climate controlled environment,” said Tim Beccue, vice president of finance for Advanced Medical Transport. “It’s vital to ensure the medications we have on the ambulances remain in that ideal temperature range. This facility eliminates any concern we have with extreme weather and posting at alternative locations.”
The project was funded through a collaboration of generous donors from Streator and Ottawa with long-standing commitments to supporting health care in their communities.
“This is a positive move to fulfill the ambulance transfer service requirements for underserved areas of the community and other parts of the region,” said Jack Dzuris, executive director of the Streator Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “As a former member of the HSHS St. Mary's Foundation and current member of the OSF SEMC Foundation Council, the collaboration between Ottawa and Streator and the willingness to grow together is another ‘we're in this together’ moment that will continue to help moving us forward toward a new rural healthcare model.”