Despite Tough Start, Bristol Hospital Makes Headway On Expanding Emergency Department

Even though work got underway at perhaps the worst time possible, Bristol Hospital’s renovation of its emergency department is on track and on budget, the hospital said.

But the coronavirus pandemic has hurt traditional fundraising efforts, and the hospital is still about $1 million short of what it needs.

“These are definitely challenging times, so many of our fundraiser events had to go virtual,” said Mary Lynn Gagnon, fund drive coordinator as well as executive director of the Bristol Hospital Foundation.

“We’re trying to reach our donors in creative ways,” she said. “But on the other hand, I think the COVID pandemic helps to sell this — it’s showing the community how valuable a resource our hospital is.”