After three decades of planning, the community of Bolingbrook, Ill., finally has a hospital to call their very own. When Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital opened this month, it was the first new hospital to open in the state in 25 years. Today, the residents of this growing suburb of Chicago have access to exceptional medical services close to home.

"Everything within the hospital has been chosen to create a better healing environment for the patient, from the state-of-the-art medical equipment to the amenities in the private patient rooms," said Isaac Palmer, CEO of Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "To every thing there is a season." Based on that verse, the hospital's floors are themed by a season. Winter means hope, which is what Jesus brought to us. Spring means cheer—something new is coming. Summer reflects love—the essence of what Jesus taught while on Earth. Autumn is about change; in life, sometimes we have to adjust ourselves to be successful.

At a special dedication event held in November, guests received a stone engraved with "hope," "cheer," "love" or "change." Palmer asked that the stones serve as reminder of how God can touch lives in the community as the hospital extends Christ's healing ministry to the people it serves.

"In almost every story about Jesus, He reached out and touched those He healed—even a man with leprosy," said David L. Crane, president and CEO of Adventist Midwest Health. "Two thousand years later, a small group at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital has the chance to do the same thing. It's a unique opportunity to serve a God who loves us."

In the weeks prior to the opening, many celebrations were held, including a grand opening event where hundreds of community members toured the facility. Guests were impressed by the special touches throughout. Nature-inspired respites help promote serenity, while large windows in each patient room produce a tranquil atmosphere to encourage healing.

"It used to be that hospitals were a place you went to die," said Walter L. Wright, chairman, Adventist Health System. "Now it is a place that brings hope. There's hope you'll be able to return home better than you were before."

With amenities such as high-quality linens, robes and gowns, as well as Internet service and flat screen televisions, patients will feel like they are at home.

"We are moving away from the institutional and towards the personal," said Palmer. "It's those special touches coupled with advanced technology and outstanding, expert physicians and nurses that will help us set a new standard for healthcare."

At each pre-opening event, prayers were given to bless and dedicate the facility to the community, physicians and staff. One special guest, Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.), chaplain of the U.S. Senate, gave this blessing:

"Help us build a place where people will not only be healed, but where people will be whole," Black prayed. "May this house of healing be a redemptive force in a troubled world."

"We know through our prayers we can unleash great things," Crane said. "We want to take this hospital and present it to our Father and say, 'Lord, we want You to bless this hospital each day.' This is a spiritual journey, not only for us, but for our community as well."

Julie L. Busch, public relations specialist, Adventist Midwest Health