For more than two years, senior management at McLaren Health Care Corporation has been working with Independence Township planners to develop a $600 million Health Care Village on Sashabaw Road.
But for a single conversation, all that might never have happened.
Philip A. Incarnati, McLaren president and CEO, met with Dr. James O’Neill of the Clarkston Medical Group. Both McLaren and CMG were ready to expand, and they agreed Clarkston was the perfect place in which to do it.
‘If not for the participation of the Clarkston Medical Group, we would not be in Clarkston,? said Gregory Lane, senior vice president and CAO of McLaren Health Care.
Several McLaren managers, including Lane and Incarnati, are familiar with the Clarkston area.
‘I have a lot of friends in the Clarkston area ? when someone in their family needs to go to the hospital, they make a day trip out of it,? Lane said.
‘We knew that someday there’s going to be a hospital in Clarkston. We wanted to be the one to put it there.?
Lane and Dr. Tim O’Neill, Dr. James O’Neill’s son, went to work investigating suitable sites.
‘We looked at virtually every piece of vacant property in the area that was in excess of 10 acres, on Dixie Highway, M-15, Sashabaw,? Lane said. ‘That was a lot of time driving and walking around. But we kept on coming back to Sashabaw and Bow Pointe.?
The location at the southeast corner of Sashabaw and I-75 seemed ideal, with good infrastructure, convenient access to the highway and Clarkston neighborhoods, and appropriate zoning, light-industrial.
‘It made a lot of sense,? Lane said. ‘Tim and I recommended that we try and do it here.?
The project, which was first brought before Independence Township government in December, 2005, awaits one more vote from the Township Board for final approval.
‘Overall, we have had a very good working relationship with the township,? Lane said.
The final project is significantly different from what was initially proposed, but that’s a good thing.
‘They have made it a better project,? Lane said.
The 76-acre project is a multistage, multipurpose health care village containing a full continuum of health care services. It would feature the most advanced, state-of-the-art technologies and comprehensive health care facilities, providing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure, all conveniently located on one site.
Included in the plan are medical offices, for CMG and other physicians, ambulatory surgery center, pharmacy, medical equipment store, facilities for rehabilitation, emergency care, and cancer, heart, and other medical research, and a healing garden. Plans also include a 200-300 bed hospital, as determined by future need.
‘We look forward to bringing health services to the Clarkston area,? Lane said. ‘It will be a great project when finished.?
Community feedback has been very positive, he said.
‘I’m almost surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response ? people are solidly behind the project,? he said.
‘I’m proud of that. A lot of time has gone into putting this together. It’s a solid project. I’m proud of Independence Township and Clarkston. I’m looking forward to a long and rewarding relationship that will benefit both McLaren and the Clarkston area.?
For more information, call McLaren Health Care at 810-342-1100.