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In late July 2001, about 750 people toured the new operating room and met Dr. Hugo Gomez-Engler, who was recruited from San Diego as the center's first surgeon. In partnership with Kennewick General Hospital, open heart surgery and interventional cardiology services are being developed, allowing patients to remain in the community for this vital care. The program is based at Kadlec, bringing patients from throughout the Tri-Cities and surrounding region. On August 6, 2001, Dr. Gomez-Engler and Dr. Roberto Cattaneo performed the first Tri-Cities Open Heart Surgery.

In Spring 2002, 19 private rooms were opened on the east end of the fourth floor. These rooms are devoted to adult orthopedic and neurological surgery patients. The floor includes a large physical therapy area. "It is important to have easy access to therapy." said Suzanne Richins, Kadlec's Chief Operating Officer.

October 28, 2002, Kadlec's New Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit opened.

The New Emergency Department has 20 private rooms, State-of-the-Art Equipment, Bedside Registration, Digital Imaging in each room, Six Private Rooms for Express Care, and an On-site Decontamination Room.

The New Critical Care Unit has 20 Beds, State-of-the-Art Equipment, Large Rooms for Patient and Family Comfort and Private Family Waiting Areas.

Health care in the region takes another significant step forward with the opening of a new outpatient imaging center at Kadlec Medical Center in Richland. The center is equipped with the latest imaging technology from General Electric Medical Systems, providing physicians the most sophisticated tools available to diagnose and treat disease. The center began operation on November 4th, 2002.

The equipment, which ranges from high-tech x-ray machines and a premiere magnetic resonance (MRI) scanner to breakthrough technology like a combined computed tomography/ positron emission tomography (CT/PET) scanner.

In addition to the TwinSpeed MRI, Kadlec will be home to the GE LightSpeed Ultra CT scanner, Revolution XR/d, Compax 40E and Legacy-D x-ray machines, the Senographe 2000D digital mammography machine, the LOGIQ 700 Expert ultrasound machine, the Millennium MG nuclear medicine system, a full Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) and the Discovery LS PET/CT imaging scanner.

“This is a comprehensive facility where patients can receive any type of imaging service they need in one location,” said Kenneth Requard, MD, medical director of Kadlec’s Department of Diagnostic Imaging. Results can be delivered to physicians through the Internet, CD-ROM, or on paper, significantly reducing wait time for reports. “If a doctor needs to see the images immediately, we can send them over the internet where they can be viewed before the patient returns to the doctor’s office,” said Requard.

The Discovery LS combines a PET scan and CT scan into one exam. This new technology can help doctors detect and diagnose cancer faster than has been previously possible.

“All of this equipment is designed to provide our physicians the most comprehensive tools available to diagnose and treat disease,” said Rand Wortman, Kadlec president and chief executive officer. “This project is so technologically advanced that General Electric plans to use it as a “showcase” site where they will bring hospital and physician representatives from community hospitals to see their most advanced equipment in operation."

The imaging center occupies the first floor of a three-story medical office building constructed on land purchased from the city of Richland. Physician groups operating in the new building include Associated Physicians for Women, Three Rivers Family Medicine, surgeon Fredrick Bowers, MD, and pediatrician Carol Endo, MD.

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