Catholic Transcript Online

HIGH, HIGH FIVE – Berlin Steel construction workers Nick Ragon, left, and Jeff Wilson high-five each other after installing the final steel beam on the fifth floor of the John T. O’Connell Tower at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford on on Oct. 29.  Watch the beam being hoisted into place in the photo gallery at http://transcript.smugmug.com. (Photos by Jack Sheedy)

HARTFORD – When the wind blew down easels with pictures of the John T. O’Connell Tower being built at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center on Oct. 29, Dr. C. Steven Wolf kept right on speaking to assembled guests. When the microphone failed during Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez’s remarks, the mayor simply raised his voice and was heard by all.

When it was Auxiliary Bishop Christie A. Macaluso’s turn to speak, he said, "There’s a message in this. Perseverance."

The event was the topping-off ceremony for the $184-million, 10-story structure, the 318,000 square feet of which will hold an enlarged emergency department, 19 new operating rooms, 36 private patient rooms, expanded facilities for the Connecticut Joint Replacement Institute and a new rooftop helipad.

Beset by construction problems shortly after its Jan. 8, 2008, groundbreaking, workers persevered, and the building is set to open in mid-2011, according to Christopher M. Dadlez, president and CEO of St. Francis. Mr. Dadlez called the occasion for raising the ceremonial final steel beam "a proud and special day."

Two weeks earlier, the beam was placed in the hospital’s rotunda, where thousands of staff, patients and well-wishers signed it. As it was hoisted into place at the ceremony, an American flag and a small pine tree were attached to it. Mr. Dadlez said the pine tree tradition began in 1898 when Norwegian ironworkers wanted to symbolize their respect for nature’s contribution to the building process.

"This building would not be possible without the generous help of Daniel and Nancy O’Connell," Mr. Dadlez said. "Their gift is in memory of their son John, who was treated for cancer at St. Francis prior to his death in 1996. Dan and Nancy have been active supporters of St. Francis for the past decade, both financially and through their service to the hospital."

The O’Connells donated about $5 million toward the project.

Mr. O’Connell, a board member of St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, St. Francis Foundation and St. Francis HealthCare Partners, praised the efforts of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry, who founded St. Francis in 1897. "Look around you here and you can see what they have handed on to us," he said. "Like the founding sisters, we’re not short of challenges today that demand foresight, courage and careful attention."

He thanked Mr. Dadlez for consenting to install a plaque in honor of John O’Connell in the facility’s visitors’ center.

Dr. Wolf, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine, recalled that the day of the groundbreaking ceremony 19 months earlier was one of the busiest ever in his department. "I remember thinking that this new building wasn’t happening fast enough," he said. "But it is happening, and the dream is surely becoming a reality in John’s honor."

Mayor Perez noted that the project is proceeding under budget, adding, "St. Francis believes in Hartford. Hartford believes in St. Francis. We’re strong partners."

In blessing the beam, Bishop Macaluso implored God to "guide and direct the labor of our hands as this work is brought to completion." He asked God to "grant that this new space might provide care and comfort to all who come here for healing. Bless the patients and all those who assist them."

Jim McHale and Victor Caiaes, workers with Berlin Steel and members of Ironworkers Local 15, then attached the beam to a crane, which hoisted it to the fifth floor. Installed beside it was another beam signed by the workers who are under the supervision of Turner Construction Co., construction manager.