NORWICH – About 50 Commerce Chenango members came out last week to show their support and appreciation for their little hospital’s big renovation.

The medical/surgical floor at Chenango Memorial Hospital – marketed as “The Best Little Hospital in Central New York” – has received an $800,000 facelift over the past six months. The business community oohed and awed during tours of the second floor, a part of the Chamber’s “Business After Hours” event held May 21. Doctors and executives were on hand to describe the improvements.

Florence Doller, who is the marketing director at NBT Bank, said she was proud to see the hospital’s transformation.

“The renovation is really beautiful. The hospital is an important resource for the community, and it’s important to have these sorts of improvements continue,” she said.

President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Drake Lamen said the improvements were designed to make the floor more comfortable and attractive for patients and their families and will promote better patient care. New, strategically placed nursing pods enable the hospital’s care givers to actually see their patients from their stations, reducing travel time and improving family access to the providers.

The project was on time and on budget, the CEO said. An internal work group connected all of the facets and monitored progress with weekly meetings. A group of nurses toured other hospitals in the region for initial ideas and served as a catalyst for what was ultimately planned.