After visiting AP government classes at Person High School, having lunch with the students and staff and presenting a U.S. Flag to the student council, Miller toured the hospital to see progress on the construction and renovation project that has been ongoing for two years.

Interim hospital CEO Otis Wilson escorted Miller, North Carolina Rep. W.A. (Winkie) Wilkins, D-Person, and others on a tour of the hospital’s new lab, surgical and outpatient surgery areas.

Following the tour, hospital foundation and trustees members, along with local dignitaries and state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, applauded as Miller told Wilson that the check had been signed by President Bush and was ready to be put to good use for the community.

“I’ve visited here before,” Miller said, “and I know how important this hospital is both here and in Virginia.” Noting that the hospital serves about 50,000 people, Miller said, “but you’ve got an old hospital. You all asked if I’d go to bat for it,” he said, “and we found some federal funds for help with expanding the emergency room.”

Miller said he was happy to be able to help the hospital “make a real difference in the quality of care” by expanding the outpatient facility, the patient waiting room and consultation area.

Gordon Carver, chairman of the PMH Trustees, thanked Miller for the appropriation, explaining that, with any construction project, there were always changes that meant more cost.

“We’ve just faced some of those changes,” Carver said, over the past couple of weeks, “so this is just what the doctor ordered.”