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Family Medicine renovation, Phase One, complete by Heather Woolwine Public Relations Several months after renovations began at MUSC Family Medicine, construction crews completed phase one of the project. The back side of the building, where patients with appointments are seen, now flaunts textured wallpaper and warm wood accents, not to mention freshly painted exam rooms, enlarged waiting areas, and a new provider’s work area. “The providers love it,” said Scott Laird, Family Medicine administrator. “It was great to be able to move everything out of the hallways and give our providers a place to work with more privacy.” Laird launched the project in late summer with the hopes of finishing in the fall. “But in this old building, with all of the changes it has weathered over the years, we just didn’t know what we were going to get,” he said. During the first phase of construction, surprises kept the construction crews from maintaining a progressive pace, like the discovery of columns not included in the buildings’ plans and structural beams that baffled designers as to the reason for their existence. “It’s been a challenging process for everyone here,” Laird said. “Especially for our architect, Lonnie Long. We lost some time but we’re back on track now.”  “Discovery is always a challenge with any renovation. There are secrets and surprises buried in walls and above ceilings, but if this project were on TV they would say, ‘Don’t try this at home,’” said Long. “Despite the challenge, the change is a dramatic improvement to the 1940 asylum motif.” Laird projected the completion of phase two some time in early February, with the hope of having a brand new building to show off during the annual patients’ luncheon on Valentine’s Day. New furniture and design accents are on the way, and once the work is finished on the same-day patient side of the building, Family Medicine will actually gain two exam rooms in addition to the newly created spaces for medical records, a business office, and provider work stations.  “Despite some of the hang-ups, loud noise, and equipment throughout the building, our patients, providers, and staff have done an exceptional job of dealing with the construction and working around it,” Laird said.  The nursing staff, providers, business and registration employees and even their families pitched in one weekend by painting every exam room. “It was nice for everyone to help with the project and to have a hand in changing our building for the better.” For more information on the progress of the renovation and completion dates, go to http://www.muschealth.com/familymedicine/index.htm.   Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.