The staff, administrators and board of trustees at Natchez Regional Medical Center are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

The hospital publicly unveiled this week — more accurately, celebrated — the completion of an eight-year, $18 million renovation that included everything from patient rooms to the creation of a new, one-stop patient admissions area.

As the Natchez mayor said, the process has yielded &uot;a radical, dramatic change&uot; in the hospital.

For some, admittedly, that change has been less dramatic as they’ve watched the evolution over time and relished the changes every step of the way. And while the renovation has not been without its challenges — any major project of this type has some challenges — it has been declared an overwhelming success and an improvement to the county-owned hospital facility.

Working with a building that is well over 30 years old, contractors and designers have managed to create an efficient, attractive and inviting facility … designed with both form and function in mind.

Those improvements — from the fresh paint on the walls to the new pre-admissions area and process — will ultimately benefit the patients. Along the way, they are sure to spark a renewed pride in the staff and employees. As Virginia Salmon, president of the county’s board of supervisors pointed out when she said, &uot;I could see the pride and obvious enthusiasm of the staff.&uot;

It’s a well-deserved opportunity for the staff to be enthusiastic about growth and changes … and moving forward.