Construction began this week on the campus of Memorial Hospital for a new multi-specialty physician medical complex and Personal Care Home expansion. Pictured, from left, Debra Fairchild, Vice President of Administrative and Medical Staff Affairs; Mary Adams, Administrator, Personal Care Home; Carol Sager, Vice President of Development; Gary Engler, Director of Plant Operations; Jim Parks, Vice Chairman Board of Trustees; Gary A. Baker, President and CEO; Linda Berry, Vice President of Human Resources; William Rohrbach, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer; and Marc Alpert, MD, General and Vascular Surgeon.

The highly anticipated ground breaking took place this week on the Memorial Hospital campus as construction began to build a new three-story multi-specialty physician medical complex. The new facility will be connected to the existing Personal Care Home.

The new spacious 32,000 square foot facility will provide offices for the growing Community Health Associates LLC physicians, surgeons and practitioners as well as accommodate an expansion of the Personal Care Home.

"Community Health Associates LLC is a growing multi-specialty physician group that has maximized existing space. Physicians, surgeons and practitioners are currently located in three different areas on the hospital campus. By consolidating the Community Health Associates LLC group into one facility, patients will enjoy easier access and better parking," says Gary A. Baker, Hospital President and CEO.

Community Health Associates LLC provides family and internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecological care, general and vascular surgery, pain interventional care, as well as ear, nose, and throat care.

"We anticipate this construction process will create local jobs from the construction service industry that will be beneficial to the local economy," Baker said.

The two upper floors of the new building are designed for medical offices with a three story grand entrance staircase and tastefully designed patient lounge areas.

The first floor will expand the existing Personal Care Home with14 single occupancy rooms and three double occupancy rooms. Rooms on the west side of the structure will include private balconies.

"We anticipate that the construction process will continue through the next 10 months with completion anticipated in the summer of 2013," Baker said.

A parking area is being constructed on the north side of the Memorial Hospital campus just off from Merrill Parkway to accommodate employee parking. This will open up convenient parking spaces for patients and visitors during construction near the main building site.