Gift Funds Duke Regional Hospital Renovations to Benefit Patients, Staff, Community
A beautifully refurbished lobby and modernized auditorium now welcome patients, staff, and community members to Duke Regional Hospital, thanks to a generous $1.1 million gift from the Durham County Hospital Corporation.
These public-facing areas of the hospital had not been updated since opening almost 50 years ago and required significant renovation and remodeling to meet the needs of a leading health care facility in the 21st century. Unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the light-filled lobby and state-of-the-art auditorium now offer a warm, welcoming atmosphere with better functionality and enhanced safety features.
“The improvements are phenomenal and much needed. These are the spaces where we greet patients, providers, and staff every day, as well as host visitors and community events,” said Jason A. Carter, MBA, hospital president and chief operating officer. “We are profoundly grateful to the Durham County Hospital Corporation Board of Trustees for their gift to improve Duke Regional Hospital, a beacon in our community that shines even brighter thanks to their donation.”
The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to contribute to the renovation project, given the importance of Duke Regional Hospital to the health of the Durham community. The investment marks another milestone in the longstanding partnership between Durham County Hospital Corporation and the hospital, which serves Durham, Orange, Person, Granville, and Alamance counties and surrounding communities.
“We have an amazing collaboration focused on service and community,” said Denise L. Barnes, MBA, chairperson of the Board of Trustees. “The board is proud to fund these tangible improvements at the hospital and support the more than 3,500 Duke Health employees who provide outstanding medical care with compassionate, personalized service in a community hospital setting. Our goal is to uplift the mission and values of Duke Regional Hospital and plan a comprehensive and coordinated hospital and health care system.”
The hospital lobby serves as the primary point of entry for patients and visitors, as well as the waiting area for family members. The renovation relocated the front desk to improve the flow of people through the lobby, particularly for those in wheelchairs, and improves visibility across the space to foster a safe and accessible environment. Fresh paint, upgraded seating and flooring, and a new sliding door and vestibule create a comfortable, inviting environment.
The auditorium, an important resource for the hospital and other community partners including Durham Public Schools, was worn and outdated after nearly five decades. The 312-seat venue now features upgraded audio-visual equipment, new carpet and wall coverings, reupholstered seats, resurfaced entrance doors, new sound panels, and a permanent stage extension to replace the original made from plywood.
Duke Regional Hospital, originally named Durham County General Hospital, opened its doors on North Roxboro Road in 1976. The name changed to Durham Regional Hospital in 1990, then to Duke Regional Hospital in 2013 after its affiliation with Duke University Health System (DUHS). Duke Regional is built on the tradition of caring of its predecessor hospitals, Lincoln and Watts, and with 388 inpatient beds, offers a comprehensive range of medical, surgical, and diagnostic services.
The Durham County Hospital Corporation has supported Duke Regional Hospital since 2003 by providing oversight and promoting the hospital’s mission and goals, in collaboration with DUHS. The recent gift acknowledges the unique partnership and demonstrates trust in the hospital’s operation, Carter said.
“The board’s commitment to philanthropy made this project possible — we could not have done it without them,” he said. “They continue to champion our mission to deliver high-quality, family-centered care that meets the needs of our community. Their investment in these renovations helps make Duke Regional the best place possible for health, hope, and healing.”
The Board of Trustees approved the gift for the renovation project from a fund that trustees have managed since the affiliation with DUHS. The fund contains donations to the former Durham Regional Hospital, as well as operating reserves that accumulated before Duke assumed management of the hospital. The board has previously approved use of the funds for specific hospital capital improvement projects, including projects for the labor and delivery unit and the intensive care unit, as well as for continuing education and training for hospital employees.