FERRIDAY — Area residents got a first-hand look at all Riverland Medical Center in Ferriday has to offer Thursday evening when the hospital hosted an open house for the community.

Tours were given, food was served and questions about the hospital were answered as hospital staff and administration greeted and talked with all those who attended.

“We just wanted to show the community what we have at our facility,” Riverland Administrator Lana Stamper said. “We wanted to let everyone know what we have to offer.”

In February, the hospital closed down the emergency room for approximately a week to do some minor renovations, such as paint and maintenance work, which impressed many open house attendees.

“It’s amazing how a month’s time can make this much of a difference,” Ferriday resident Martin Newburton said. “Everything just looks newer and more pleasing to the eye.”

The hospital also hosted an open house Tuesday night, where Stamper said approximately 100 people came out to tour and learn about the hospital.

“We had a good response to it,” she said. “We are possibly looking at making this an annual thing.”

Guests were split into groups and taken through the hospital where they were able to view the hospital’s recent improvements and some of their newer equipment as well.

Ferriday resident Sherice Houston attended the open house and said the tour of the hospitals new mammography unit gave her some very valuable information.

“Their new (mammography unit) was unlike anything I have ever seen,” she said. “It’s the latest technology and it’s right here in my own backyard for me to use.”

The new machine allows for quicker results, more detailed testing and Houston’s favorite, a more comfortable test.

“Mammograms are extremely important for women, but they are also extremely painful,” she said. “The new machine at Riverland alleviates a lot of the discomfort, and that makes my next trip to the hospital a little less scary.”

Newburton said he is glad to see some improvements made at Riverland.

“It feels like someone is trying to make a change for the better and that feeling hasn’t been around here in a long time,” he said.

Stamper said she was just glad to be able to showcase everything the hospital has to offer to the people who will value it the most.

“This is their hospital,” she said. “And I want them to know what we have so they can take advantage of our resources.”