When I accepted the position as Digital Media Coordinator for Grande Ronde Hospital, I knew nothing about plans to build new operating rooms.

Now, over a year since the groundbreaking, I find myself immersed in documenting the Facility Expansion Project. What began as a quest to create a historical archive has unfolded into a journey of creativity, learning, and friendship.

Stepping onto the construction site, adorned in a shiny white hardhat and bright orange safety vest, I was painfully aware of just how much of an outsider I was. It pushed me outside my comfort zone and into what, at first, seemed like utter chaos. I soon discovered a hidden artistry in construction, a beauty that emerges for those who are willing to look.

Here, every skilled worker is an artist in their own right and they welcomed me, my camera, and all my questions.

Delving into the intricacies of each phase, I tried to find interesting ways to capture and share the progress while honoring the work being done and all the planning that came before it. However, this project is not just about concrete and steel; it is about the people behind the scenes.

The stories of our nurses, surgeons, and support staff are integral to this tale of growth and progress. Their anticipation and enthusiasm infuse every photograph with a sense of purpose.

Together, we are crafting the next chapter in the history of our hospital, and I am privileged to be both a storyteller and a witness to this remarkable transformation; a bridge between the hospital’s past and its promising future.