VCMC: A Five Year Project

In 2013, I began the longest photo assignment of my career: five years chronicling the construction of a new hospital wing at Ventura County Medical Center. From the shovel ceremony to the ribbon cutting, I was there to capture how things looked. I was even there to photograph the move-in and the first surgery.

Let’s face it: no one wants to be in a hospital unless it is to welcome a newborn into the world. But if I must spend time in one, I hope it can be as nicely conceived and executed as VCMC.

Consider the patient comforts–every room has a bench window seat that folds open into a sleeping area for a family member. Many rooms look out upon rooftop gardens, which also serve to cool the building. The pediatric ward has a private, open-air play area where kids can get outside, soak up some sun and take a look at the ocean. I bet there’s a health benefit in that alone.

The technology is amazing, in particular with the operating rooms. I have posted stories about that before, so I’ll skip the details. Five years, five fascinating years interacting with various teams and crews, observing the skills and talents that make a hospital great. I’d gladly do it again.