State health planning officials gave the green light to Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley on Thursday, May 31 to begin moving equipment into its new hospital, a major step forward as the facility prepares to open this year.

The partial certificate of occupancy, issued by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), authorizes Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley to begin stocking the building with equipment.

In the coming weeks, the hospital's now bare halls and rooms will be filled with gurneys, beds, bassinets, blood draw chairs, anesthesia carts, wheelchairs, defibrillators, instrument and ultrasound tables, EKG machines and a host of other necessary equipment.

"This is a tremendous step forward for Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley and the community that has invested so heavily into this hospital," Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley President Jeff Lingerfelt said. "The partial certificate of occupancy is one of the last hurdles to cross before state licensure. Before you know it, we'll be open and admitting patients. We know the community has been eager to see this hospital open its doors, and this is a sure sign that we're getting very close."

An OSHPD inspector noted in his partial certificate of occupancy authorization that the project was 98 percent complete.

Once finished, the 25-bed critical care access hospital will include 13 emergency department rooms, two gastrointestinal lab rooms, two general operating rooms and an intensive care unit (ICU). A labor and delivery unit is planned for some time after the opening.

The 79,000-square-foot medical facility sits on a serene 20-acre campus with awe-inspiring views of Tehachapi Valley.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Our workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees; nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 4,350 volunteers. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 20 hospitals, more than 260 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 15 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. In addition, the Adventist Health Plan serves patients in Kings County. Visit http://www.AdventistHealth.org for more information.