|
By Pete Wilson
Telegram Editor
With those joyful words, building co-owner Pat
Ball was happy to announce on Wednesday afternoon that Adena Health Systems
would soon become the first tenant in the new IronOak Center on Washington
Street in Oak Hill.
The IronOak Center, owned by Jackson residents
Pat and Melissa Ball, represents a second chance at life for the former Davis
Home For The Aged, which closed last year after 50-plus year history in the
village.
Wednesday's announcement was the first step in
the Balls' dream to bring much needed new jobs and services to Oak Hill.
"Melissa and I could not be happier," Mr. Ball
said. "For the first time in nearly a decade, people in small, isolated
communities across southern Jackson County, northern Lawrence County and western
Gallia County will have access to truly exceptional primary-care services.
"This partnership with Adena Health Systems will
improve the quality of life for the residents of our region and help further our
efforts to bring new jobs and services to Southeastern Ohio."
Adena Health Systems representatives were present
to announce that the IronOak Center would become the site of the new Adena
Health Center – Oak Hill. The new medical facility is tentatively scheduled to
open sometime in mid-December after renovation work is completed. A
ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled once the office has opened.
Fred Deel, the director of the Governor’s Office
of Appalachia, was on hand at the IronOak Center to officially present a $42,500
check from his office that will help Adena pay for some of the equipment in the
building.
Deel commented, "The Adena Health Center here in
Oak Hill presents a direct opportunity for Ohio and the Governor’s Office of
Appalachia to make a contribution to our quality-of-life standards. Partnerships
like these serve to revitalize our communities."
Meanwhile, Adena’s decision to open a health
center in Oak Hill ends a long period of the village not having a medical
facility that began when the Oak Hill Community Medical Center closed.
Mark Shuler, President and CEO of Adena Health
System said, "Having resources to make primary care available in the village of
Oak Hill is something that has been one of our priorities, and we are truly
appreciative of the funds presented today by the Governor’s Office of Appalachia
that will assist us in this venture." |
Shuler also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Ball
for his energy, focus and for the support of the local community. He also
thanked Jackson-based physician, Dr. Stephen Owen, for providing physician
leadership throughout all stages of the site planning and development for the
Oak Hill facility.
Shuler described Dr. Owen as being a "driving
force" in the project and Mr. Ball said Dr. Owen’s commitment to help staff the
Oak Hill facility was a critical piece of the puzzle.
Adena Health Center – Oak Hill will feature
family-oriented healthcare services provided by the Jackson Area Family Practice
and Pediatrics. In addition to primary care, diagnostic treatment and services
will be available, including EKGs, blood-sugar checks, blood pressure, pulse
oximetry and nebulizer/breathing treatments.
Former Oak Hill area residents Alicia Kammler
will serve as full-time nurse practitioner at Adena Health Center – Oak Hill.
Dr. Owen will be at the Oak Hill center one day a week and Jackson-based
pediatrician Dr. Jill Neff will see patients at Oak hill a half-day each month.
A grateful and excited Ball thanked many who
supported his efforts to place Adena in the IronOak Center, in addition to Adena
and the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, this list included the Jackson County
commissioners, the renovation contractor, Sunrush Construction, the Ohio Valley
Regional Development Commission, the Oak Hill Chamber of Commerce, the village
of Oak Hill, Mr. Ball’s co-worker, Angie Sprouse, and the Davis family, who were
founders and owners of The Davis Home.
Speaking for the Oak Hill Chamber, President
Kurtis Strickland noted that the development of the former Davis Home was one of
the Chamber’s main goals for the year. He feels this is another positive
development that will make Oak Hill a good place to live.
Meanwhile, the Balls are hoping to attract other
tenants to the IronOak Center as the medical facility will use only 2,300 square
feet of the 14,000-square-foot building. Mr. Ball told The Telegram other
possible uses considered for the remainder of the building includes Child care
providers, respite care services, a diner, home health care services and medical
transport services.
"Anything that provides a job with a decent wage
will be welcomed with open arms," Ball told The Telegram.
There is also space upstairs that the Balls think
could be used for residential apartments or perhaps as a base for home health
care services.
Those interested in possible leasing options at
the IronOak Center may call Pat or Melissa Ball at 256-4992.
|
|
|
from the experts
Wondering where to find the most impressive foliage? This month on Martha Stewart Living Radio's Home¬-Grown gardening experts Andrew Beckman and Margaret Roach suggest scenic sites throughout the United States, including the following:
• New England
Mohawk State Forest. Cornwall and Goshen. Connecticut; Pineland Public Reserved Land, Gray, Maine: Cape Cod, .Massachusetts; Northeast King¬dom, Vermont
• Mid-Atlantic
Hudson Valley. New York; Greene County, Pennsylvania
• South
Cullman County, Alabama; Ozark National Forest, Arkansas: Chatta¬hoochee-Oconee National Forests, Georgia; Asheville. North Carolina:
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia |
more on health each month
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia will debut two health-related initia¬tives this fall. The Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai, in New York City, will support awareness$ about healthy aging, and every mag¬azine will include more coverage of health-related topics: Martha Stewart Living. Martha Stewart Weddings. Everyday Food, Blueprint, and Body+Soul as well as the Martha Stewart Newsletter and Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing newsletter. Whether the focus is fitness, nutrition or how to attain a more balanced life, each article will promote the lifestyle that Martha lives and advocates.
PLANT A SEED The Garden for Living, located across the street from the center at Mount Sinai, was designed by Martha Stewart Living gardening editors and neighborhood volunteers to promote ga1'¬dEming enthusiasm in the community.
|
|
