The Medical Center at Scottsville announced today the completion of its expansion project that will enhance services provided to Allen County. The 5,700 square foot expansion estimated at nearly $2.3 million includes new space for the hospital’s Physician Specialty Clinics and the addition of a permanent MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) system.

“Commonwealth Health Corporation and The Medical Center at Scottsville are proud to once again broaden the availability of quality healthcare services to the residents of Scottsville and Allen County,” said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation, the parent company of The Medical Center at Scottsville. “We are dedicated to improving technology and the availability of medical specialties, enabling residents to stay close to home for quality healthcare services.”

“With the growing demand for healthcare services from residents of Allen and surrounding counties, The Medical Center at Scottsville continues to expand to meet those needs both in facilities and services,” said Eric Hagan, Vice President of The Medical Center. “Enhancing our diagnostic imaging services with a permanent MRI improves local access to advanced technology for our physicians and patients.”

Currently, The Medical Center at Scottsville offers mobile MRI services once a week. The hospital has purchased the EXCELART Vantage MRI system from Toshiba America Medical Systems. The permanent MRI complements the hospital’s diagnostic imaging services that recently upgraded to 4D ultrasound and digital mammography.

In addition to the MRI suite, the expansion includes clinical space dedicated to The Medical Center at Scottsville’s Physician Specialty Clinics. Currently, the hospital provides space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza to specialists from Bowling Green who see patients on designated days and times each week. Physician Specialty Clinics include cardiology, general surgery, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, and pulmonology.

With the building expansion and relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics, the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic will occupy the entire space in the Scottsville Medical Plaza. Currently, the Rural Health Clinic operates in half of the building while the other half is allocated to the Physician Specialty Clinics.

“The relocation of the Physician Specialty Clinics will provide the Rural Health Clinic with much needed space that has the potential to improve patient flow and wait times,” said Hagan. The Rural Health Clinic which is staffed by three physicians and two nurse practitioners see an average of 120 patients a day.

Another benefit of the building expansion is the connection of the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital. Rural Health Clinic patients who have diagnostic imaging exams ordered will no longer have to walk between buildings for services. The expansion connects the Scottsville Medical Plaza to the hospital allowing for convenient, interior access to other hospital departments.

Commonwealth Health Corporation has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association’s Start! initiative for helping employees eat better and move more.

"Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Commonwealth Health Corporation. We are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association’s Start! movement as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company," said Connie D. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Health Corporation. "We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible. This will benefit our employees' health and produce even more positive results for our company overall."

As a Platinum-level employer, Commonwealth Health Corporation promotes a wellness culture within the workplace and offers employees a variety of programs to promote healthy living. Some of the programs offered include:

• Fitness Facility Reimbursement including personal trainer expenses
  
• 100 Mile Club where employees receive milestone incentives for miles tracked
  
• Walking Wednesdays to encourage walking during warmer months
  
• Weight Loss Program Reimbursement provides up to $75 for participating in a weight loss program for at least 3 months
  
• Physical activity classes provided by Employee Health staff and independent contractors
  
• Smoking Cessation Reimbursement for up to $150 a year for participating in approved smoking cessation programs
  
• Discounted premium on health insurance if employee completes annual wellness visit with a healthcare provider
  
• Free annual influenza vaccine provided to all employees with incentives for participation.
  
• On-site Employee Health Medical Clinic provides the services of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to treat limited acute-type conditions at no charge
  
• Free Employee Assistance Program counseling services for employees and family members.
  

The Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping companies make their employees’ health and wellness a priority. American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. Start! helps change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.

"We in Southcentral Kentucky are truly blessed to have The Medical Center. Not only do they give outstanding care to their patients, but they truly care about their employees," said Michelle Alloway, Great Rivers Affiliate Division Director for the American Heart Association. “That’s why when it came to companies receiving this honor, I could not think of a better one to receive it. CHC is truly deserving of this honor, for they do a fantastic job of keeping their employees health as a priority."

For more information about the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies Program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy, call (270) 842-5700 or visit startwalkingnow.org.

Contact: Doris Thomas, Vice President, 270-745-1589

The Medical Center at Scottsville will open the Fountain Run Rural Health Clinic on Tuesday, June 1. The clinic, located at 47 Akersville Road in Fountain Run, will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fountain Run Rural Health Clinic will provide services to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries as well as provide preventative health screenings. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (270) 434-4857. Walk-ins are accepted.

The clinic will be staffed by Jason Shuffitt, ARNP. Jason earned his master’s degree in nursing from Western Kentucky University and is pursuing his doctorate in nursing practice from the University of Arizona to be completed fall 2010. He is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

The Medical Center at Scottsville also operates the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic located in the Scottsville Medical Plaza at 466 Burnley Road next to the hospital. Shuffitt also will see patients at the Scottsville Rural Health Clinic along side Grover Dils, M.D, Michael Lang, D.O., Lynetta Stiltner, D.O. and Gwen Wright, ARNP.

Applications are now being accepted for The Medical Center at Scottsville Scholarship for the 2010-2011 school year. The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating senior of Allen County-Scottsville High School who plans to attend Western Kentucky University (WKU). The annual scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and a book fee allowance for one year and may be awarded to one student or divided between two.

Applications can be obtained by contacting Melissa Williams, Senior Guidance Counselor at Allen County High School. For more information, please contact Katie Beard, Marketing/Development Coordinator at (270) 745-1543 or bearke@chc.net. Applications are due on or before March 15.

The Medical Center at Scottsville has launched a new program, Senior Perspectives, to address the mental health and well-being of older adults.

“As many people get older, their emotions and moods change just as the physical state of their bodies change,” says Jami Hughes, LCSW, program director for Senior Perspectives. “Too many times, seniors’ emotional health is overlooked. But it is important for people to be both physically and emotionally well, even in the golden years.”

Senior Perspectives operates on an outpatient basis and is staffed by a team of physicians, therapists, nurses and technicians. By operating on an outpatient basis, the program allows seniors to receive intensive level treatment without the high cost or inconvenience of being hospitalized. The cost of the program is covered by Medicare and most secondary insurance health plans, and normal deductibles and co-pays apply. For those that may not have transportation (handicap accessible), assistance can be coordinated by the Senior Perspectives program.

For more information regarding admission into Senior Perspectives, call (270) 622-2890. The Medical Center at Scottsville will host an open house for the Senior Perspectives program on Wednesday, February 3 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the hospital.