A new floor, featuring 24 private rooms, has opened at Salem Hospital, named for the late Marblehead philanthropists Charles and Ann Pingree.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Feb. 27 to celebrate the opening of the in-patient unit, named the Pingree 5. Cutting the ribbon during the ceremony were their sons, Jay and Chris Pingree.
Charles and Ann Pingree were Marblehead natives and longtime supporters of Salem Hospital who helped fund the $15 million construction of the hospital. In a statement, Chris Pingree reflected on his family’s ties to the hospital.
“Back in the ‘60s, our mother started as a candy striper. She eventually worked in the flower shop. She always had a passion for Salem Hospital,” Chris Pingree said. “We’re honored to see our family name attached to such a vital addition.”
The addition of the rooms brings the hospital’s total to 371, further expanding and improving care for patients.
“We’re very excited to have this additional space to care for our patients,” Salem Hospital President and Chief Operating Officer Roxanne Ruppel said. “It was certainly needed and helps us to enhance the experience for patients and staff.”
A statement from the hospital said that “the addition of the private rooms not only improves patient experience, but enables the hospital to admit patients more quickly from emergency rooms, cutting down on wait times. Like many health-care facilities across the country, Salem Hospital is facing steady, increased demand for medical and surgical admissions. Average occupancy of beds at the hospital has increased from 79% in 2019, to regularly beyond 95% currently. The high occupancy rate often leads to long wait times in the emergency department.”
Each of the rooms were created using existing space above the Pingree 4 floor.