Residents Embrace New Outpatient Facility

A warm, stone fireplace invites residents into the 50,000-square-foot outpatient facility off of Route 19, in what was most recently Radicchio's International Marketplace.

A cafe area sits to the right of the entrance, lit with an abundance of natural light, a strategically-planned effort of Kim Malinky, president and CEO of Canonsburg General Hospital.

Monday afternoon commenced the center's open house, ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours for residents. A harpist played elegantly in the background as guests mingled with hospital personnel and the people who made the center possible.

"It is so nice to see the community's support today," said Acacia Svonavec, marketing director at Canonsburg General Hospital, who was responsible for Monday's event. 

Canonsburg General Hospital Vice President Terry Wiltrout, who put his VP position on hold to live and breathe the center, agrees. 

"It is a pleasure to see everyone come out to the open house today," he said. "It is our goal to offer patients one center of care for their outpatient needs."

Prior to the ribbon cutting, Malinky; Christopher Olivia, M.D., president and CEO of the West Penn Allegheny Health System; U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R- Upper St. Clair; and David S. Parda, M.D., who chairs West Penn Allegheny's department of radiation oncology, spoke on health care.

"We're proud of what we're creating," Olivia said. "Health care is changing. The good, the bad, the ugly," with reference to ObamaCare. "Medicine today is not the same. Many procedures no longer require hospital stay." 

Olivia gave kudos to the great hospitals in the area, who "treat and heal the sickest patients," however, he noted there are those who want alternative treatment in centers closer to home. The Outpatient Care Center is in the best interest of patient care, he said. 

Construction will ensue over the next couple of months, into November, according to Wiltrout. The team is pursuing a financial partnership/joint venture with private practices, which will be the first in Pittsburgh. 

With an extensive background in health care, Rep. Murphy was proud to speak Monday. 

"The key is all of us and how we use this," he said. "Lines of communication are the main driving force in your own health. I'm excited about this state-of-the-art facility, and the real art comes in how we integrate care together." 

Chief Medical Officer Thomas Corkery, D.O., also was set to speak Monday, however, Malinky relayed the message that "his daughter was making him a grandfather." She said he'd been a huge part in the management and leadership of building the facility, as well as a contributor of his clinical expertise.

"We want to provide the best patient experience possible," Malinky said.

The team chose a calming color scheme and areas of natural light. They designed the space with the patient in mind, she said, complete with a cafe, Wi-Fi and computer access in the business center. 

Dan Laurent, director of media relations for West Penn Allegheny Health System, sees the move as one toward model health care by bringing convenient services to the community. 

"There's a demand for services," he said. "Procedures are much more advanced and less invasive. Demographics, too. There's been a huge migration to the suburbs. We're providing a variety of services, ahead of the curve."

Services at the Outpatient Care Center include laboratory; medical imaging; medical oncology/hematology; an Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Institute; physician specialists; primary care; radiation oncology; and a surgery center, complete with three fully-functioning operating rooms and two procedure rooms, coming this fall.