Groundbreaking Held For New Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at PMC

Pikeville Medical Center News

Groundbreaking Held For New Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at PMC
By Hunt Cooper; Staff Writer

PIKEVILLE – Construction began on Thursday, July 21 for Pikeville Medical Center’s outpatient rehabilitation center, a new $2 million project that will house a HydroWorx 2000 Series therapy pool – the first of its kind to be installed in the region. The therapy pool is the ultimate in aquatic rehabilitation offering an adjustable floor to accommodate patients of all ages as well as wheelchairs. It also houses a variable speed treadmill which allows for unweighted or semi-weighted treatment options.

The facility is scheduled to open next year and will complete phase III of a four-phase plan for an off-site medical plaza on the hospital’s campus.

"Those who have passed by the hospital over the past several months have noticed that the fourphase project is well under way and this particular phase is truly exciting for us and the community," said Joann Anderson, chief executive officer at PMC. "This phase will bring many new changes to the area, many of which are completely new to our population.”

Anderson said the outpatient rehabilitation center will provide a complete range of outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies as well as other advanced rehabilitation services.

Bringing advanced and specialty services to the region is an important focus to PMC President Walter E. May and his dedication to that goal continues.

“Pikeville Medical Center is investing in the best possible health care for our people, which means bringing the best technology and most advanced services to this facility,” explained May. “We are working towards eliminating the need for patients in our area to travel as we continue to provide needed health care services right here at home.”

May also pointed out other positive aspects of the new center.

“The new facility will make accessing Pikeville Medical Center’s outpatient rehabilitation services more convenient by allowing patients to park near the front door of the new building and eliminating the need to visit the main hospital,” stated May. “The patients needing these services should have the shortest transport time possible and we are providing just that with this new facility.”

The outpatient rehabilitation center will also designate office space for Dr. Scott Akers and other physicians associated with the rehabilitation center making it more convenient for the initial and follow-up appointments as well as during actual therapy sessions.

“Just as the outpatient diagnostic center will make quality care easier for patients to access when it is complete, the rehabilitation center will do the same for its patients,” said Debbie Puckett, chief operating officer at PMC. “They will be thrilled with the ease and function of the center.”

Phase IV will consist of an outpatient surgery center equipped with office space for surgeons including – but not limited to – orthopedists, neurosurgeons and general surgeons.

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