Reflections from Bellevue Medical Center’s first day

Bellevue Medical Center opened for business at midnight May 17.

Within five minutes, the emergency department (ED) had its first patient.

A woman who suffered a minor injury in a car accident the day before came to the ED at 12:05 a.m.

“My wrist had started swelling and I wanted to get it checked out,” Gwen Sly said. “Everyone there was so nice and so helpful. Even with all the questions they have to ask in the emergency room, they all made me feel very relaxed.”

First baby on day two On its second day of operation, Bellevue Medical Center delivered its first baby. Haedyn Tobias was born weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces just after 3 p.m. to Michaela and Adam Tobias. The Tobiases are stationed and live at Offutt Air Force Base. Haedyn already has a head start on college. Bellevue Medical Center and Bellevue University contributed to an education fund that with years of interest, could pay for four years of Haedyn’s college education.

Sly’s injury was not serious and the hospital’s first patient was on her way home a short time later.

“Later in the day, my chiropractor said I was like a local celebrity for being the first patient,” she said.

The first ambulance run from Bellevue EMS came in around 3 a.m. A woman suffering chest pains was checked out in the ED and admitted to the hospital. By the end of the day, she was feeling better and almost ready to go home.

Bellevue Medical Center’s first procedure was a successful heart catheterization.

By evening of the first day, 12 patients had come to Bellevue Medical Center. Three had been admitted. Hospital leaders considered the first day a success.

“We are very pleased with how things have gone thus far,” said Marlin Stahl, M.D., clinical associate professor of internal medicine at UNMC and chief medical officer of Bellevue Medical Center. “This is what we’ve been working toward and it’s wonderful to be open and serving the community.”