BETTENDORF, Iowa - Feb. 6, 2014 - Genesis Health System announced today it will invest $15 million in the future of health care in the region at the new Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf.
The second Genesis HealthPlex - the first opened in November in Moline -- will give patients "one stop'' access to many health services. Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf is under construction at 2140 53rd Ave., Bettendorf. The HealthPlex is adjacent to ORA Orthopedics and the Genesis Center for Digestive Health.
Genesis Health Group President Richard Kishiue, M.D., said the new facility is recognition of the national trend to provide more health care services outside of a hospital setting.
"Like Genesis HealthPlex, Moline, the Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf will be able to provide virtually all of the health services now available at multiple sites, from primary care physicians, to radiology, laboratory, specialists and Genesis Convenient Care,'' Dr. Kishiue said.
The 43,140-square foot HealthPlex is under construction and will be open to patients late in 2014. Estes Construction of Davenport is the general contractor.
Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf is an IMPACT construction project using local skilled trades.
With a focus on providing care to more patients in the future, four graduates of the Genesis Quad Cities Family Medicine Residency Program will start their practices in the new facility.
"We understand the concerns about access to a primary care physician as thousands more residents of the region will have health insurance under the Affordable Care Act and will develop a relationship with a physician,'' Dr. Kishiue added. "Genesis has been very aggressive in recruiting new primary care physicians and specialists and will continue to be aggressive in our recruiting to make sure the newly insured are able to establish a relationship with a primary care physician rather than using emergency departments as their gateway for health services.''
The four recent residency program graduates who will base their new practices at Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf are Stacie Salowitz, M.D., a University of Iowa medical school graduate; Sheena Harker, who received her undergraduate degrees at Augustana College and received her medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Catherine Schierbrock, M.D., a University of Iowa medical school graduate; and, Ryan Boone, M.D., who received his medical degree from Destiny University School of Medicine, St. Lucia.
Linda Jager, M.D., is a fifth graduate of the Genesis Quad Cities Family Medicine Residency Program who has already joined Genesis Health Group.
Chris Crome, M.D., and Kurt Andersen, M.D., will move their practices from other Genesis Health Group locations and will serve as mentors for the recent residency graduates. Genesis Convenient Care will be moving from Devils Glen in Bettendorf to the new location.
"The support of Genesis Health Group physicians is one of the reasons we've been able to develop this plan,'' Dr. Kishiue said. "Usually we would only be able to retain one or two of the new doctors from the residency program. Being able to recruit five in one year is unheard of for us.
"The collaborative approach of experienced doctors and new doctors emphasizes how important we believe it is for newly insured patients to have a health and wellness relationship with a primary care doctor.
"That is how the Affordable Care Act will work effectively and not only will the health of the region improve, care will be more efficient as services are consolidated at a single site.''
Genesis HealthPlex, Bettendorf will have a full-service lab, digital imaging, including MRI, CT, radiography, ultrasound and mammography. There will be space for 18 providers, 65 examination rooms, nine procedure rooms and two education rooms.
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