Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center Celebrates Grand Opening

Story by Adventist HealthCare Staff

ON AUGUST 25, the new state-of-the-art Adventist HealthCare (AHC) White Oak Medical Center in Silver Spring, Md., opened its doors to the community. Just inside the hospital’s entrance, visitors’ eyes meet a sculpture of the raising of Jarius’ daughter, a beautiful reminder of Christ’s healing ministry. Created by Pavel Kudelich, a member of Potomac Conference’s Sligo church in Takoma Park, Md., is an artist who has worked on projects across the world including the Zaokskiy Seminary in Russia. Located about a mile from the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Md., White Oak Medical Center, is an acute care hospital that will continue to be known as a leader in cardiac care.

At White Oak, private rooms equipped with the latest technology are filled with natural light to promote healing. Patients, visitors and staff can take in the natural surroundings and fresh air from outdoor courtyards, including a green roof and an outdoor dining terrace. An outdoor walking trail will soon provide a fitness and wellness area for the surrounding community.

Located off Route 29 at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road and Plum Orchard Drive, White Oak, appropriately located on Healing Way, replaces Washington Adventist Hospital (WAH) in Takoma Park, Md., where it served the community for 112 years. Adventist HealthCare Urgent Care will continue to serve Takoma Park in the former hospital Emergency Department. In addition, the Washington Adventist University board recently voted to purchase the property.

“Our entire team feels a sense of joy, humility and gratitude as we continue our mission of providing physical, mental and spiritual healing,” says Terry Forde, president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare. “Let’s praise God and be proud of our achievements and accomplishments that this hospital is one of the best to receive care in the region.”

A few weeks before opening, the hospital held a special blessing and dedication. Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of the Adventist Church and a former student chaplain at WAH, shared his appreciation for the center’s mission. “Moving from one place to another does not mean that the relevancy of the institution changes. The legacy that we have is rooted in God’s love,” Wilson said. The ceremony offered blessings for hospital leadership, caregivers, patients and the community, as well as the facility.

“We are here today because God has willed it to be so. In His infinite wisdom, the ministry of Washington Adventist Hospital, that existed over 100 years, continues at a new location,” said Dave Weigley, president of the Columbia Union Conference and chair of the AHC Governing Board.

A week later, more than 300 people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. At the event, U.S. representative John Sarbanes commended AHC and the Church for its long-running commitment to health and wellness for the community.

CHANGING ADDRESSES, NOT MISSION

In late August, staff carried out a meticulously-planned move from WAH to the new White Oak Medical Center.

For patients, it meant a safe and comfortable ambulance ride and among the first to be cared for at White Oak. To the transition team, it meant everything from coordinating the moving logistics for every department and training the hospital’s 1,300 staff to finalizing plans with the ambulance company to transfer patients on the morning of the move to their new address.