Recently, we marked an important milestone in the construction of our new ambulatory surgery center in Eugene with a girder signing at the project site.

The event brought together Slocum physicians and staff, along with community leaders and project partners, to recognize the progress of a facility that will expand access to orthopedic care in our region.

For us, the moment was a meaningful one. This new surgery center is not just an expansion project. It reflects our long-term investment in the future of orthopedic care in this community, and in the patients and families who trust Slocum with their care.

During the event, Dr. Brian Jewett spoke about why physician leadership matters. At Slocum, we believe the people helping shape the future of care should be the people delivering that care every day. That belief is part of what makes this project so important. This new surgery center reflects a physician-led approach to care designed around patients, guided by clinical judgment, and built with long-term community benefit in mind.

Todd Salnas spoke about continuity and commitment. Slocum has been part of this community since 1939, and this project represents the continuation of a long-standing commitment to serving Eugene and the surrounding region with exceptional orthopedic care. It is one more way we are continuing to invest here, grow here, and plan for the future here. That long history of local care and community connection remains one of the defining parts of who we are.

When the new facility is complete, it will significantly expand our ability to care for patients. The 34,000-square-foot surgery center will include eight operating rooms, two additional operating room shells for future expansion, and 23-hour stay capability for procedures that require a little more recovery time. It is expected to double our current surgical capacity and will become the largest non-hospital-based operating room setting in Lane County.

Those details are important because they reflect something practical: greater access, more capacity, and a facility designed specifically for orthopedic surgery and recovery.

For everyone who signed the girder, the event was a chance to mark progress on a project that will serve this region for years to come. We are proud of what is taking shape, and we look forward to sharing more as construction continues.