New Sherman Hospital Built To Withstand Earthquakes

Given the recent earthquake in Illinois, Sherman Health would like to inform you that its new hospital was the first “seismically” built hospital in Illinois, under the Illinois seismic code. The State adopted new structural guidelines several years ago that include compliance with some seismic reinforcing of structural systems and overhead support.

The code requires that facilities built (or modified) under this code that provide emergency or surgical services must comply. As separation of overhead utilities is difficult to achieve (so that only emergency and surgery areas would be built in compliance) the entire hospital was built to this standard.

There are specific additional reinforcements of the foundation and structure in the new hospital. Every overhead utility (down to light fixtures) have their own independent, engineered supports.

Interesting Facts:

-The biggest risk in the Chicagoland area is not really a strong quake itself, but the effect on our soil from a serious quake. An example of this effect would be the New Madrid fault in southern Illinois. The shock waves from a 8.0 quake in Cairo, IL would migrate out quickly. This is called the response time. This low-frequency shaking can liquefy the soil and cause bigger problems for those farther from the quake who are on more stable soil. Our soil type (and virtually all of the soil in the Chicago region) is at the higher end of the risk scale.

-In the 1800′s there was a serious quake in that area that caused the Mississippi to literally run backwards for a period. It also caused damage that can still be found and is researched actively. The fault has a history of repetitive action and it is “overdue” according to many experts for a major shift.

To read more about unique features at the new hospital, visit thefutureofsherman.com

Photo Recap: 10 Images of Move-In Day

We officially moved into our new hospital on Tuesday, December 15th. Moving patients from the Center Street campus to the new building at Randall and Big Timber Roads was a massive undertaking, one that took months to plan. On the 15th, things got underway well before the sun was up. Here’s a photo recap of the historic day.

Ambulances line up, ready to move patients

6 Photos of the Grand Opening Gala

Complete Details on the New Hospital

The opening of the new Sherman Hospital is just 11 days away! In preparation for the date, here’s information about our transition from our current address on Center Street to our future address on Randall and Big Timber Roads. Also included are articles with details about the new hospital, both in photo and written form.

• Written Blog Posts

[Mock Patient Move Preview]
[Mock Patient Move Part I Part II]
[New Hospital Preview]

• Photographic Blog Posts

[7 Interior Photos]
[4 Exterior Photos]
[8 Aerial Photos]

Also important to note:

When the new hospital opens on December 15th, there will be 125 critical and non-critical patients to move from Center Street to Randall and Big Timber Roads. The non-critical patients will be moved first, followed by the critical patients. The emergency department at Center Street closes at 7 am on the 15th. Anyone who drives up after that time will be asked if they are able to drive to the new hospital. If not, we will call 911 for them.

To view all of the photos of the new hospital to date, click here to visit our Flickr profile!

Info on Artwork at the New Hospital

Note: This post was guest-written by Kathleen Bernhardt

The new Sherman art collection includes a selection of media from photographs to sculpture and includes painting, watercolors, pastels and textiles.

The theme and philosophy of the collection is based on the concept that a comforting environment contributes to positive patient outcomes.  We have focused on providing a collection that will be familiar and nurturing to patients, visitors and  employees.

Many images are of the Elgin area and the Midwest.  An important and interesting part of the collection are the photographs in the patient rooms.  Many are the work of our doctors and staff as well as local photographers and artists.  Each photograph so generously donated and accepted into the collection will have a plaque identifying the location of the photograph and the name of the donor.

While we have so many pieces in the collection that are interesting and eye catching,  a sculpture made of two 14 foot canoes is certain to garner a great deal of attention!

The selection process was the result of the Sherman Art Committee reviewing over 1,000 works of art to arrive at the final pieces to be included in the collection.