King’s Daughters Medical Center is staying busy with renovations and improvements to its outpatient areas and main lobby.

     Since the renovations, the outpatient center has moved closer to the Highway 51 than it was before, something that Nurse Manager Cheri Walker wants patients to be aware of.

     “We know many people that come here are not able walk too far, so we don’t want them walking around looking for where they’re going,” she said.

     The improvements to the outpatient center were aimed at making things flow better for patients in an area of the hospital that sees more than 100 patients per day, according to Walker.

     David Culpepper, KDMC director of marketing, said the move would help simplify things for patients.

     “We were able to move things around and make them all in one area so it’s much more convenient for our patients,” he said.”

     The pre-admission nurses for outpatient procedures are now closer together than they were before, which makes finding them easier for patients, according to Walker. There is also new carpet and seating in the outpatient area, which also contains radiology and the lab.

     A popular addition to the main lobby is the new snack bar.

     The bar serves wraps, sandwiches and salads that are made fresh daily as well as coffee, mocha, fruit smoothies and frozen lemonades.

     Barista Ashley Wilson said the coffee bar has been popular with both guests and the hospital staff.

     “We stay pretty busy all day,” she said. “People like how they can come by and grab a quick snack.”

     The bar, which opened in February, is open from 6 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. daily.

     Culpepper said the project is ongoing, but they are more than 75 percent complete.

     “Most of the work has been done by members of our staff, which made the work go faster and saved money,” Culpepper said.

     Since the renovations began, many people have asked where the painting of Jesus overlooking surgeons perform surgery on a patient was moved. The title of the painting is “The Chief of the Medical Staff” by Nathan Green.

     After construction was completed, hospital staffers decided to move the painting from the main lobby to the outpatient services area. The painting was donated in memory of Dr. Jimmy and Missy Barnett in December of 2000.