Clarkston Medical Group’s new 137,000-square-foot building on Sashabaw Road is running ahead of schedule and under budget, said Dr. Timothy O’Neill, CMG president.
‘We picked the right people, no question,? O’Neill said. ‘They have done a great job.?
The medical office building, just south of I-75, is on track to open this summer. The entire Clarkston Medical Group is set to move there from its offices at 6770 Dixie Highway.
They will offer complete services, diagnosis, treatment, and procedures in pediatrics, internal medicine, family practice and emergency medicine, and a 15,000-square-foot surgical center.
‘It’s more affordable, with no compromise in quality,? O’Neill said. ‘Hospital fees drive up costs. Private doctors don’t do that.?
The building is designed for energy efficiency and takes advantage of the latest technology, he said.
Records will be stored and transmitted electronically, he said.
‘That will speed things up,? he said. ‘We wanted to take advantage of technology from the ground up.?
The building will be divided into ‘pods,? each with its own reception, examination, treatment, and administrative areas.
‘We brought in a lot of good people,? O’Neill said. ‘We assembled a team. Everyone here, I’m comfortable with treating me and my own family.?
The group includes doctors affiliated with Genesys Regional Medical Center, North Oakland Medical Center, Beaumont Hospitals, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, POH Regional Medical Center and McLaren Regional Medical Center, as well as local practices invited to join.
‘We’re very honored to be part of this group,? said Dr. Kirit Patel of Cardiology and Vascular Associates.
‘This is a long term commitment,? Patel said. ‘We’re here to stay. We’re all partners. We all share the risk. We’re all invested in it.?
Associated Radiologists of Clarkston will open an office with CMG, while maintaining its M-15 location, just south of I-75. Michigan Center for Orthopedic Surgery, located next door on Sashabaw Road, will also make the move. The building is 95-percent full, with about 8,000 square feet left for a few sub specialties, O’Neill said.
The building is designed for efficient treatment, with separate entrances for emergency and urgent care, and parking on all sides.
‘Everything is designed with patient convenience in mind,? said Kari Gorz, vice president in charge of operations for Clarkston Medical Group. ‘Flat parking. Urgent care has its own entrance. Even the bathroom has a separate changing area for children.?
Patients will be diagnosed with ultrasound, stress, heart, virtual colonoscopy, mobile MRI, x-ray, and other tests, down the hall from treatment rooms and a pharmacy.
‘We have the same instruments as a hospital, same equipment,? O’Neill said. ‘We offer the very latest in testing and treatment.?
They will be able to perform procedures they used to send out of town to hospitals.
‘That’s a way to avoid the trip and keep patients in the community,? he said.
CMG research department also conducts several clinical trials.
‘We do a lot of research to keep sharp, keep learning,? O’Neill said. ‘We see new technology and medicine about a year before they come out in common practice.?
Along with the rest of the healthcare village, they hope to bring hundreds of jobs to the area.
‘That’s a good thing in these rough times,? O’Neill said. ‘It’s a big commitment. We’re the largest private employer in the area. We’re not stopping because of the economy.?
‘We said we’d do it. We made that commitment to the community,? Gorz said.
The CMG building is part of Phase I of the $600 million McLaren Health Care Village project. The first of three phases also includes a 30,000-square-foot cancer treatment center and 10 acres of landscaped healing gardens, open to the public.
‘It will have trails to walk your dog or go for a run,? Gorz said. ‘It’s a great place to host fundraisers.?
Clarkston Medical Group was founded 45 years ago by Dr. James O’Neill, Timothy’s father. For more information, call 248-625-2273.