Approximately 250 community members turned out for the official ribbon-cutting and opening of the newly expanded Staples clinic on Friday, January 5. Project partners, Lakewood Board members, local business owners and members of the media were present to hear words from Lakewood Board Chairs, Loren Morey and Mary Theurer; Lakewood COO/CNO, Teresa Fisher; and Lakewood Strategy Dyad Physician, Christine Albrecht, and watch the ribbon-cutting.
Attendees were given guided tours through the new space, and enjoyed refreshments as they mingled with Lakewood administration, staff and providers. The Staples clinic expansion project, which started in November 2016, was one of four projects undertaken at Lakewood in the past year. Other projects include an expansion and remodel of the Pillager clinic, which was completed in November 2017, an expansion and remodel of the emergency department, which was completed in the Fall of 2017, and a new in-house MRI suite, which was completed in December 2017.
An additional 23,355 in square footage has been added to the Staples clinic, which includes more space for the women’s and mental health departments, and additional provider offices and exam rooms. The emergency department gained 3,673 square feet to accommodate more treatment and trauma rooms, mental health rooms, and telestroke equipment.
The in-house MRI suite features new, state-of-the-art equipment, which will accommodate patients up to 440 pounds, and provide more comfort and accessibility than the previous mobile unit. An additional 8,300 square feet have been added to the Pillager clinic, which includes space for more provider offices and exam rooms, and mental health and rehab services.
Patients will start to be seen in the new clinic areas on Monday, January 15.