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S
SOLAR PANELS and miniature wind turbines
may not be the high-tech equipment one associates
with a high-tech medical center, but they are at
Kadlec Regional Medical Center.
The medical center installed the equipment as a part
of a large energy project undertaken at Kadlec.
The $7.4 million project was made possible
with the help of local business Apollo, which
secured stimulus funding, as well as cash incentives,
grants and low interest loans. Because initial
construction of the four-story portion of the
hospital began in 1968, much of the equipment,
including heating, cooling and lighting, was
outdated and operating inefficiently.
Inefficient equipment was redesigned and retrofitted
and other ways to conserve energy were considered,
including changing to more energy efficient light bulbs.
“We also added solar panels and wind turbines,
which create a small amount of energy for the
hospital,” said Jason Rose, Kadlec’s director of
Plant Operations.
A public kiosk has been set up in the Orchard
Lobby, which generates a reading of energy being
produced.
“It is estimated that the project will save
30 percent of the energy bill each year,
without compromising patient
care in any way,” said Rose.
The project was also
named the City of
Richland’s Green Project
of the Year.
2
there six to nine months. He was there
two weeks,” she said.
On December 30, just over a month
after his injury, Ken was home. “He has
done so well. It is not easy recovering
from the serious head injury he had
and they told us it could be up to five
years before we know how far back he
can come, but he has already surprised
everyone,” she said.
And, the Pittmans believe that
getting that critical care early made
the difference.
“Thanks go to Dr. Fewel. We know
what he did was huge. Dr. Fewel was
very honest with us. He told us initially
that Ken might not be able to feed
himself or take care of other basic needs.
But he does all that and much more.
“The quality of care was awesome. I
Drs. Matthew Fewel and Hui-Juan Zhang (see next page) are
part of the physician team at Kadlec Neuroscience Center. The
center was started in 2008 to bring a comprehensive group of
neurosurgeons, neurologists, pain management specialists and
physiatrists to the Tri-Cities and surrounding region. The extensive
experience and subspecialty training of the physicians enables
Kadlec Neuroscience Center to offer a wide range of services to
treat and diagnose conditions related to the brain, spine, spinal cord and peripheral
nervous system.
For more information, call Kadlec Neuroscience Center at
(509) 942-3080
.
can’t even stress that enough. I would
recommend Kadlec and Dr. Fewel in
a heartbeat. If we didn’t understand
something, everyone took the time
to explain it to us. They were very
personable and genuine. Ken’s survival
is a miracle, and we know it.”
What Ken
really needed
G
r
e
e
n
n
u
m
b
e
r
s
30
estimated
reduction in
energy costs
%
6,000
energy-efficient
light bulbs
26
solar
panels
1
high-pressure
steam plant
The energy
project
at Kadlec
included:
20
kilowatts
of energy
generated
Thinking