First patients moved into King Street Addition of Chambersburg Hospital Saturday

CHAMBERSBURG — Chambersburg Hospital team members moved 54 patients into the new King Street Addition Saturday.

Cathy Layton of Chambersburg was the first patient to move in to a room in the new addition.

When she arrived at her new room at 8:07 a.m., she was greeted by a crowd of hospital staff eagerly awaiting her arrival.  

“Everyone said hello and they treated me like a celebrity,” Layton said.  “Everything was ready.  It was well organized.”

She says her favorite part of the new room is the recliner near the large window with a beautiful view.

Margaret Shaffer, a Registered Nurse with 25 years at Chambersburg Hospital, is Layton's nurse.  “It was a very special moment for me - to be the nurse of the first patient to move into the new wing.”

It was an emotional moment for many hospital employees who have been working for more than two years to get to this day - “Move Day.”  

More than 150 extra hospital team members helped to move patients and furniture.  Many were also stationed at entrances to help visitors find their way through the new building.

Throughout the hospital, everyone is celebrating.  There are special “Move Day” fruit baskets in the room used as the Command Center for coordinating the transitions.  Staff working in other areas have “Happy Move Day!” signs displayed.  Even the cafeteria has specials “fit for a King (Street).”