Ground was broken on Thursday for the long-awaited, $3.2 million Tazewell Community Health at the new location.
Tazewell Community Health began operations in May 2006. At that time, there were three total staff members, a medical provider, nurse and clerical position. Today, the operations have grown to a total of 12 staff members. Currently, there are two medical providers, three nurses, behavioral health counselor, behavioral health case manager, medication assistance outreach, outreach and enrollment for health insurance, two front end clerical positions and a site manager.
Since 2015, Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems have pursued building a new facility for the people of Tazewell and the surrounding areas for better access quality healthcare at 145 Ben Bolt Avenue, Tazewell Va. at the old health department building. This new site, in order in better serve our current Tazewell patients as well as make room for more of the medically unserved, will be a larger service delivery site to replace Tazewell Community Health’s current building. The new site will increase the scope of services to include dental, pediatric, optometry, and radiology services and will employ eight additional health care professionals. The total square footage of the current building is approximately 3,600 sq. ft. The proposed project will increase square footage to 9,732 sq. ft. and the number of exam rooms will increase from eight to 14. The opening of this facility will also have an economic impact on the area by increasing healthcare professionals from 13 t0 20 and being able to increase potential patient capacity. This new building will allow more needs of the community to be met through facility appropriateness and efficiency, increased capacity to provide services, and increasing the scope of services available to patients compared to what is currently available at the existing site.
“Being a community health center is a source of great pride for the Board and staff of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems. Not only do we pride ourselves in the health given to our patients but we also strive to be a vital part of the communities we serve. Staff members of Tazewell Community Health live in the community and there is an advisory Board of local residents who provide valuable information to us about the health and overall conditions of the greater Tazewell community,” said CEO of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Bryan Haynes.
Currently, the financial backing of the project is a $1 million grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration, $10,000 from The Carilion Foundation, and a 1:1 match grant of $100,000 from the Virginia Health Care Foundation. For every $1 donated, the amount of this grant is doubled up to $100,000.
Naming opportunities for the new facility will also be available for all 34 rooms of Tazewell Community Health, along with the opportunity to name the building as a whole. Prices for this opportunity will range from $15,000 up to $1 million.
“As the health care status indicates, there is a tremendous need and Tazewell Community Health is stepping forward to make a difference in the health of this community. We could not achieve this endeavor alone. We have garnered support from many levels from the federal and state governments, along with regional and local foundations and individual support,” said Haynes.
Along with the naming opportunities, tribute gifts will be available to be made in honor of a special person or occasion, or in memory of a loved one.
Following the ground breaking, demolition of the building will begin in late 2017 with building completion in fall 2018. A date for the facility opening will be set following the completion.