Baptist Easley Hospital Breaks Ground on New Medical Complex

Baptist Easley Hospital broke ground on Monday for a new medical complex in Powdersville.

The new 32,500 square foot complex will be located at the corner of Highway 81 and McNeely Road and will cost approximately $8 million.

“For ten years we have had plans to expand our healthcare services in Powdersville,” Baptist Easley CEO Roddey E. Gettys, III said. “I am glad that we can build this complex now which will afford easy access to health care for local citizens.”

An MD360 care center will anchor the Medical Center of Powdersville providing walk-in and urgent care services seven days a week. The MD360 center will operate in partnership with the Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center.

The new complex will include a full-time office of Steadman Hawkins Clinic of the Carolinas and Proaxis Therapy which will provide a full array of orthopaedic and physical therapy services. The GHS University Medical Group Department of Surgery will also bring surgical specialists to a 12-room suite inside the center. Diagnostic  x-ray and laboratory services will be on site, as well as a 16-slice CT scanner, with additional shell space for future diagnostic equipment. The complex will also house a community room to host health education events and provide much-needed space for use by others in the Powdersville community.

“This venture enhances the collaboration between Palmetto Health and GHS as partners in health care in Pickens County,” said Greg Rusnak, Baptist Easley Board of Directors. “Additionally, GHS and Baptist Easley each brings significant expertise and resources to this project.”

“Today, with the groundbreaking of this new facility, we represent yet another step in offering patients the right care, in the right place and at the right time," President of Baptist Easley’s Medical Staff William E. Wheeler, M.D. said. "And when that patient needs more than ambulatory care, the physician’s referral to our community hospital will be a streamlined transition.” 

The projected timeline for completion of the new facility is January 2013. 

Paul Cook, Director of Facilities at Baptist Easley, is the project manager for the 34-acre site. Gregory T. Jones of JMD Architects Inc., in collaboration with Batson Architects Inc., both of Greenville, designed the center. Triangle Construction, also of Greenville, is the general contractor. 

Baptist Easley’s eight-member Board of Directors, in addition to Roddey E. Gettys, III, Baptist Easley CEO, Michael C. Riordan, GHS President and CEO, and William E. Wheeler, MD, President of the Baptist Easley Medical Staff, participated in the 11 a.m. groundbreaking ceremonies.