Officials marked the completion of Phase 1 of a parking lot expansion project at Guam Memorial Hospital on Monday, emphasizing it addresses a decades-long parking shortage that has affected patients and visitors accessing the island's only public hospital.
The project adds 38 new center island parking stalls to the hospital's existing lot improving access for GMHA patients, visitors and staff. Dr. Joleen Aguon the hospital administrator and CEO said it's more than a matter of convenience.
"For each of them, the hospital experience begins before they enter our doors. It begins the moment they arrive. For too long, finding parking at GMH has added stress to moments that may already be difficult. Patients have canceled appointments or postponed procedures because of the difficulty of finding parking. That makes this more than a matter of convenience. When parking becomes a barrier to receiving care, it becomes a hospital priority. Today, we are responding to that need with action," Aguon said.
Phase 2 of the project, which is already underway, includes the addition of a sidewalk to improve pedestrian access and safety.
"There is more work ahead, both in the next phase of this project and throughout GMH. But I want our community to understand this clearly: modernization is not something we are waiting to begin. It is happening now," she said. "This parking expansion is one part of a broader effort that includes our ongoing capital improvement projects, roof and exterior restoration, cooling-system upgrades and work to advance our Maternal Child Health renovations."
Acting Gov. Josh Tenorio acknowledged efforts to improve and modernize the current GHMA facility. He also spoke about the continued need for a new hospital.
"Now, the fact that we have these additional parking slots is so indicative of the fact that no matter what, with all these remarkable improvements to the programming, the technology, and the facilities of the hospital, we need a new hospital. And yes, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can, and this is a tangible example of how you can make your investments solidified here in what our people need to rely on. But you can't let yourself take your foot off the pedal, in order to build what our people deserve. Our people deserve a first-rate state-of-the-art hospital where all of the excellent physicians and auxiliary healthcare staff are going to be able to practice medicine for the people of Guam," Tenorio said.
Sen. Sabrina Salas Matanane, chair of the Legislature's Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs, recognized the progress at the hospital, recalling remarks she made at the groundbreaking ceremony nearly a year ago.
"I talked about this new chapter underway here at the Guam Memorial Hospital. Well, take a look behind you, because there's definitely a new story happening here in GMH. It's a story of progress, as the CEO mentioned. It's a story of transformation. And it is a story of what collaboration, true partnership will happen, instead of criticism and complaining. So, congratulations to the Guam Memorial Hospital, and all of the employees here in the staff, because this parking lot, it's not just about parking spaces. As Dr. Joleen said, it is about progress, and I'm just so happy to ... have a small part in partnering with the hospital and making changes here at GMH," Salas Matanane said.
Phase two of the project will continue through November.
