MARYSVILLE – Memorial Health has had a presence in Urbana for nearly five years, and demand for services has grown, according to a Memorial Health news release. To provide more primary physicians, specialists and medical services for its patients in Champaign County, the health system plans to build a 30,000-square-foot, $10.3-million medical office building in Urbana.
This major project will provide much-needed extra space for Memorial Primary Care | Urbana, the largest primary care practice in the area, which joined Memorial Health in 2012. When its owner, Dr. Steven Polsley, was nearing his retirement, he sought out a partner committed to serving the practice’s current and future patients on a long-term basis. Memorial Health provided that match.
An independent, nonprofit healthcare organization, Memorial Health’s clients mostly are from Union, Logan, Champaign, and Madison counties. Currently about 12 percent of Memorial’s inpatients and outpatients are from Champaign County. When the new Urbana facility is open, many of these patients no longer will need to drive to Marysville for certain specialists or services.
The new medical building will increase space for Memorial Primary Care | Urbana, eliminating operational challenges and providing offices for much-needed additional primary care physicians. Its current physicians include John Crankshaw, MD and Joseph Metz, MD, along with Physician Assistants Rochelle Clark and Danielle Smith.
“There is a high demand for quality primary care in Urbana,” said Metz. “Ongoing recruiting efforts for at least two more physicians have been underway by Memorial, but we also need a larger office space to attract and accommodate new physicians and retain our current staff. Also, our current location does not permit clear exterior signage, which sometimes makes it difficult for patients to find us.”
Anyone visiting the new Memorial Health medical facility will have easy access to coordinated services in one convenient location, the release states. Patients will be able to visit Memorial Urgent Care and have x-rays or lab tests. In addition, medical evaluation and treatment options will include:
•Regular, rotating access to specialists for ear, nose and throat; orthopedic surgery, general surgery; urology; and pain management.
•Medication therapy from a clinical pharmacist and nurse practitioner, who will evaluate regimens and help patients with complex, chronic conditions better manage their prescribed medications. This should help prevent return visits to the emergency department and hospital.
•Physical and occupational therapy services.
Land acquisition and planning are underway, with the location to be announced soon. Groundbreaking is targeted for spring 2017, with the opening planned for spring/summer of 2018.
When open, the new Urbana facility will also boost the economy, increasing the tax base and local spending, while providing 12 permanent new jobs and retaining 17 current jobs, the release states.
Unlike many other community hospital systems, Memorial has no plans to join a large hospital network. In fact, planning is underway for the upcoming expansion and renovation of Memorial Hospital.
“We will remain a fiercely independent, community-focused, patient-focused healthcare organization based in this region,” said Chip Hubbs, president and CEO of Memorial Health.
“We are committed to providing the best possible medical options for our patients, while following our mission to promote wellness, improve health, demonstrate ethical, respectful care, and attend to the unique needs of each individual. We work hard to maintain the personal touch in treatment that is sometimes lacking today,” he said.
“Memorial has a solid history of community involvement and service in Union County,” Hibb added. “It is our intent to carry that same involvement and community support to Champaign County. In addition to our current medical practice, we are involved members of the local chamber of commerce, and members of our staff and leadership live and work in Champaign County. We plan to increase our involvement there in coming months and years. We hope to partner regularly with the community, where we look forward to increasing our presence over time.”
Memorial Health is an independent health system based in Marysville, consisting of Memorial Hospital’s main campus and satellite outpatient locations including Memorial City Gate Medical Center; Memorial Hospital Outpatient Surgery Center; Memorial Gables – a skilled nursing facility; Memorial Medical Group – a network of more than 20 physicians and mid-level providers with office locations throughout Marysville, Plain City, and Urbana; and the Memorial Health Foundation. To learn more, visit memorialohio.com.
