CalvertHealth Medical Center CEO Dean Teague and ChoiceOne CEO Butch Marino prepare to cut the ribbon marking the opening of the entities’ urgent care center partnership.
Prince Frederick, MD – With hospital care in Calvert County about to hit the century mark and an expanded facility in the works the effort to make walk-in care easier for local residents has taken a significant leap forward in 2019. On Monday, Jan. 28, the grand opening of the Prince Frederick Urgent Care Center under the management of ChoiceOne was observed. The center—one of three Urgent Care facilities in Calvert County—is located in the Calvert Medical Arts Center (CMAC) on the campus of CalvertHealth Medical Center (formerly Calvert Memorial Hospital).
ChoiceOne Co-founder and CEO Butch Marino told TheBayNet.com that the partnership came about when CalvertHealth President and CEO Dean Teague and his team began looking at urgent care organizations that could manage Calvert’s three facilities in Prince Frederick, Dunkirk and Solomons. “CalvertHealth has a great reputation and the communities are growing,” said Marino, who explained that discussions about forging the strategic partnership started to progress about eight months ago. “We’ll be reaching out the communities.” The convenience that is already available at the urgent care centers will be enhanced and available seven days a week.
Marino said ChoiceOne will be adding radiology technicians, increasing the urgent care center staffs. According to ChoiceOne Regional Director Rodney White, “16 new teammates” will be on board. The increased manpower will include full and part-time technicians, medical assistants and healthcare providers—medical doctors and nurse practitioners.
The urgent care centers are designed to ease the traditionally overcrowded emergency rooms at local hospitals. “As long as it’s not life-threatening, we can handle it here,” said White. While the urgent care centers will accept most medical insurance, it also has “affordable options” that are available on a tiered basis “that keep costs to about one-tenth of what you would be charged for in the emergency room.”
“It’s going to be perfect,” said Teague, who noted the local centers will have extended hours and advanced technology. Teague also stated the county workforce will benefit from the wellness centers’ providing of occupational health care services.
During remarks made in the medical arts center lobby, Teague noted that the hospital is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2019. He indicated a media blitz to mark the centennial will be starting soon. Teague thanked members of the public—perhaps a bit daunted by the ongoing ceremony—who paraded past the podium after exiting the elevators, for using the local health facilities.
“This is a very important opportunity for us,” said Marino, adding that the Calvert Wellness Centers “are a different model” compared to previous wellness centers.
“We’re excited to be in the community,” said ChoiceOne’s other co-founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Scott Burger.
“It’s a great step forward,” said Calvert County Commissioners’ President Thomas E. “Tim” Hutchins [R-District 2]. Hutchins told the gathering that several his elders helped build the original Calvert hospital, which, after a few renovations, is now the headquarters for the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. The commissioner recalled that has a 6-year-old, he had his tonsils removed at the county’s original hospital. With a $51 million expansion project underway, Hutchins predicted Calvert’s hospital will be seen “as one of the centerpieces of Southern Maryland.”
Speaking on behalf of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Janna Jackson declared the CalvertHealth/ChoiceOne partnership “brings a welcome opportunity.”
A traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in the CMAC lobby.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
