BOLINGROOK — Community and hospital dignitaries gathered together Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital.
"Bolingbrook did have a dream, and their dream was to someday have a facility like this one," Bolingbrook Deputy Mayor Leroy Brown said. "Once this hospital was built, we're talking about a blessing."
Illinois Senator Pat Maguire presented Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital Chief Executive Officer Rick Mace with a commendation honoring the hospital's fifth anniversary.
"As a former orderly, I'm well aware that restoring health … is very much a team effort," Maguire said.
Mace accepted the commendation and said the hard work of everyone at the hospital is what has made the facility a quality institution.
"At five years old, we've learned a lot, and we are going to continue to improve and grow," Mace said.
Medical Staff President Dr. Russell Petrak said that, at five years, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital has only begun its journey. And that journey looks good on the horizon.
"Being around in five years is an incredible accomplishment in health care, no matter what," Petrak said. "Being around and being successful should get everyone's attention."
Following the presentation, Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital staff was invited to gather for a reception to celebrate the hospital's anniversary.
Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, 500 Remington Blvd. in Bolingbrook, opened for the first time on Jan. 14, 2008. At the time, it was the first new hospital in Illinois in more than 25 years. It took three years to complete construction.
"We have the best quality of life because of the hospital we have right here in Bolingbrook," Brown said.