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| Messenger photo by Andrea Cordle |
| Board members of Berger Medical Center line up in front of the new outpatient facility in Orient to perform the ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 4. Physicians and medical professionals got to tour the facility after the ribbon cutting. A public open house was held Oct. 14. |
Southwest residents will not have to travel far for the latest medical technology.
The new Berger Medical Center is opening its doors and bringing physicians, technology and healthcare professionals to the area. The outpatient facility is located at Southern Street, off of State Route 104 in Orient. They plan to cater to the medical needs of residents in Southwest Franklin County, Grove City and northern Pickaway County.
"We offer services that are not available in this area," said Larry Thornhill, president and CEO of Berger Health System. "Most people would have to travel inside (interstate) 270 for the services we now offer."
Some of the available services include X-ray, ultrasound, bone densitometry, as well as state-of-the-art MRI, CT and digital mammography.
"We will also offer physical therapy and internal medicine," said Thornhill.
According to the Berger staff, their new 1.5 Tesla MRI combines the most open MRI design available with high-powered imaging capabilities. It has over one foot of headroom and can accommodate patients of various sizes.
The facility has a 16-Slice CT Scanner that aims to eliminate the enclosed feeling associated with older CT models. The scan can be done in 12 seconds.
Thornhill said he is excited to be able to bring this advanced medical technology to the Southwest area.
"This is a dream we started four and half years ago," he said. "This is first class all the way."
Denny Freudeman, president of Healthplex Solutions, a partner of Berger Health System, adds, "This is a winner in this community and I hope the community enjoys it."
Thornhill explained that his company bought the land over four years ago but started the construction in December 2006.
"We wanted to be centrally located and bring services traditionally found inside Columbus," he said.
He noted he is hoping the medical center will prompt other business to build as well, bringing economic growth and jobs to the area.
"This could be a catalyst for this area," Thornhill remarked.
Berger Medical Center held an open house and health fair on Oct. 14. For information on the center or its services, call 277-4600 or visit www.bergerhealth.com.
