Network: December 2008
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| (L-R) Dr. David Belvin, Smithfield Medical Center, and Mark Szalwinski, corporate vice president, Peninsula and Western Tidewater, at the groundbreaking ceremony. |
Groundbreaking Held for Sentara St. Luke’s Outpatient Health Campus On October 21 a groundbreaking ceremony was held for Sentara St. Luke’s, a new outpatient health campus to be located on Brewers’ Neck Road near the Benns Church intersection in Isle of Wight County.
It will be the new home for Sentara Obici’s outpatient services that are now located on Church Street in Smithfield. First to open will be a 2-story, 52,000-square-foot facility that will house the existing Smithfield Medical Center primary and specialty physician practices while allowing additional office space for more specialty physicians desiring to expand their practice to Isle of Wight County.
Advanced imaging services, laboratory, physical therapy and urgent care services will all be relocated and expanded to support the emerging population in the northern sector of the County. Sentara St. Luke’s Phase I is anticipated to open in Fall 2009. Read the
news release.
Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex Under Construction
A groundbreaking ceremony in late September 2008 marked the beginning of Sentara CarePlex Hospital’s expansion project dedicated exclusively to orthopedic services. With an anticipated opening of early 2010, the Orthopaedic Hospital at Sentara CarePlex will be a two-story, nearly 55,000-square- foot addition providing patients with access to a full complement of orthopedic services from pre-habilitation and surgery to rehabilitation and home care. Specialized surgical orthopedic care will be provided through board-certified and fellowship-trained physicians from Tidewater Orthopaedic Associates, the largest orthopedic group on the Peninsula. Read the
press release.
Optima Health Earns A+ Rating in Financial Strength Optima Health received an “A+” or “Excellent” financial strength rating from TheStreet.com Ratings, recognizing its ability to withstand severe economic adversity and showing exceptional financial strength.
TheStreet.com is the nation’s leading independent provider of ratings and analyses of financial services companies, mutual funds, and stocks. The rating recognizes Optima Health as an outstanding insurer offering excellent financial stability for its customers, vendors, and employees. Fewer than five percent of the nation’s HMOs and health insurers meet TheStreet.com Ratings’ criteria for exceptional financial strength.
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| Artist's rendering of Sentara Obici Hospital's three-story bed tower |
New Patient Wing Coming to Sentara Obici Hospital
Construction continues on the addition of a new wing at Sentara Obici Hospital that will adjoin the existing patient tower at the rear of the hospital. The new patient tower will increase hospital bed capacity from 138 to 168 beds. The $22.4 million project should be complete and open to patients in 2010.
Optima Health Launches Medicare Annual Enrollment Campaign
If someone you know has been notified of changes in their 2009 Medicare Advantage Plan – like a premium or copay increase, higher deductible, limited drug coverage or, in some cases, a plan that will no longer be offered, please encourage him or her to attend one of Optima’s FREE Medicare Meetings. Meetings will be held at convenient locations throughout Hampton Roads, including locations at Sentara facilities and community centers. Beginning November 15, eligible Medicare recipients can enroll in an Optima Medicare Advantage Plan. Optima offers four comprehensive Medicare plans still featuring a $0 premium option that includes drug coverage. Optima Medicare plans also provide extra benefits to TRICARE For Life recipients, at no additional cost. For more information, talk to an Optima Medicare consultant at (toll-free) 1-866-659-0864 or visit Optima's Web site for the meeting schedule.