Metro Health brings two medical specialties, coffee shop to Medical Mile; generates 25 jobs

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

A $6.5 million investment in the Grand Rapids’ Women’s Health Center of West Michigan (WHC) brings Metro Health’s services into the mainstream of the Medical Mile – the first time the health care system has established a presence in downtown Grand Rapids.

Construction of an outpatient surgical center, an office for specialists who desire a presence in the WHC and a boutique coffee shop/café is underway, with completion slated for August.

The 17,000-square-foot surgical center features three operating rooms for same-day procedures, such as, orthopedic and podiatric operations and gynecological and urological surgeries.

“We anticipate offering ownership opportunities to 30 to 40 surgeons who will have 49 percent ownership in the surgical center,” says Brian Jepson, Metro Health COO. “The planning has been done through a steering committee primarily of surgeons. Any surgeon, regardless of their hospital affiliation, can apply for credentialing.”

A variety of medical specialists who want to tap into the WHC’s coordinated one-stop-shopping process for their patients can sign on to share an additional 2,600-square-foot space.

“They can come in the building on as-needed basis to see patients,” Jepson says. “We’re trying to expand our specialty care in women’s health care in the building.”

The coffee shop/café will be open to the public, and, Jepson says, the ideal place for visitors to log onto the Internet while waiting for a family member to get out of surgery or a doctor appointment.

Jepson estimates the three projects will create some 25 jobs, including office management, clinical, clerical and support services positions.

Source: Brian Jepson, Metro Health

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.