It could be the luck of the Irish. But it was more likely just a lot of hard work, planning, community support and a commitment to excellence that opened the doors of Gig Harbor’s first hospital on St. Patrick’s Day. Early Tuesday morning, staff members dressed in scrubs and hospital uniforms formed a large semi-circle in the emergency room lobby while a TV news reporter prepared to introduce the hospital to the world.

As the minutes counted down before the camera rolled, Carole Peet, the hospital’s COO, joked, “This is more nerve-racking than everything we’ve done in the past six months.”

The crowd gave a rousing cheer in front of the camera for the morning news, and then it was all over.

St. Anthony was open for business.

Members of the community and donors were welcomed in grand style to the new facility during the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony Friday night.

Jim Good, vice president of specialty services for the Franciscan Health System, said the hospital’s state-issued Certificate of Need was granted in record time. Rick Larson, co-chair for the Campaign for St. Anthony, said the facility is only the second hospital in the state to be granted a certificate since 1987.

“The message was clear,” Good said. “The peninsula needs a hospital, and we need it now. As we look at this magnificent facility, it will have an immediate impact in these hard times.”

A major impact has been creating new jobs, from construction crews to individuals with health care experience. The hospital took on 450 new hires in the past six months.

Michael Rowan, executive vice president and COO of Catholic Health Initiatives, said the hospital passed its licensure inspection with no deficiencies.

“This has been the most rewarding experience I have had in my 35 years as a health care executive,” he said.

Carolyn Schultz, president of FHS, said the hospital was reviewed with no recommendations, which is “highly unusual.”

Schultz credits Peet and her staff for that accomplishment.

“This reflects our commitment to excellence,” Schultz said. “Carole Peet kept an eye on the target and stayed cool, calm and collected.”

Peet said the past six months have been both exciting and challenging.

“We have recruited some of the best, and everyone is dedicated to teamwork,” she said.

Bill Rose, vice president of the St. Anthony medical staff who works in Key Center, touched on the benefits the hospital will offer residents who live far from town.

“For years, we’ve been the farthest away from any hospital,” he said. “Now we have one in our backyard. For residents of the Key Peninsula, it will no longer take an hour for the ambulance to get us to the hospital. This is more than just a Franciscan hospital, it’s our community hospital.”

Sharon Snuffin, co-chair for the Campaign for St. Anthony, said the hospital received $15.5 million in gifts and donations, exceeding its $10 million goal.

“We did this despite a very difficult economy,” she said.