Click here to read the text of the original story by Bruce King that aired on WDBJ on May 9, 2018.
(WDBJ)
By Bruce Young
Published: May. 9, 2018 at 6:19 AM EDT
It looks a little more like a construction site than a medical facility. But back at the main entrance, the Rockbridge Area Health Center is open and still doing a brisk business.
“We’ll be providing services throughout the entire project,” says Health Center CEO Suzanne Sheridan.
It’s a big job, more than doubling the size of the building that does more than the occasional check up or diagnosis.
“This isn’t just a medical facility,” Sheridan explains. “We’re actually housing medical care, dental care, and mental health services all under one roof. And I think that’s what makes this somewhat unique.”
Because they discovered that they had a big job to do.
“It wasn’t just low income, uninsured people that were having trouble accessing services. It was the community at large,” according to Sheridan. “And so our mission allows us to not only serve low income, uninsured people, but also to increase access to everyone in the area.”
By building a 23,000-square-foot facility on top of the 9,000 square feet they have now.
“So far, I think the patients who come here have responded in a very positive way,” Sheridan says. “The staff, they’re excited to have a new and better facility to serve patients. So it’s going well.”
They expect to finish next June.
Click here to read the text of the original story by Bruce King that aired on WDBJ on May 9, 2018.