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Southwest and Port of Ridgefield Announce Major Property Purchase Along I-5 in Clark County
2/22/2007 12:00:00 AM
Property is part of broad-based property acquisition and growth plan designed to meet the future health care needs of north Clark County residents.
VANCOUVER, Wash. – February 22, 2007 On the heels of a major expansion and enhancement of the region’s acute health care services, Southwest Washington Health System is pleased to announce a long-term growth and property acquisition strategy aimed at meeting north Clark County’s future health care needs. A jewel among these property acquisitions is a 75 acre parcel off Interstate 5 in Ridgefield. The Port of Ridgefield has sold the land to Southwest for $17.8 million.
Initial plans for the Discovery Pointe property call for the development of a medical services village or super clinic coupled with retail development compatible with the medical services planned for the site.
“The board and management are thinking out decades ahead to anticipate the needs of this community,” said Twyla Barnes, chairman of the board for Southwest Washington Health System, the parent company of the Medical Center. “As we consider our future and commitment to this community, our planning committee has been actively considering when and where we want to grow to keep pace with our mission to provide medical services for the region.”
By selling this property to Southwest, the Port of Ridgefield has helped to ensure the land will be used in a way that is consistent with the Port’s vision for the Discovery Pointe Corridor—a corridor of knowledge-based, high-quality employers that add value and stability to the region.
“We planned this property with purpose and vision,” said Roy Randel, Port Commissioner. “Ridgefield is a place for children and families. Having Southwest as part of our community helps us build a strong regional economy. They will provide good jobs and good opportunities for people.”
Southwest’s new eight-story Firstenburg Patient Tower opened for patients this week. The $146 million Tower, which updates and combines services for heart and vascular, operating rooms, and patient rooms, marks a significant investment in upgrading the hospital’s Medical Center campus. However, the Tower is just the first of many planned health care initiatives the nearly 150-year-old institution has on the horizon to keep pace with the growing population and health needs of Clark County and southwest Washington.
What’s ahead?
Southwest has completed key property purchases to help advance its health care mission well into the future. Among these are 12.2 acres of property off 192nd Avenue and 1st Street in Camas, Washington. Purchased in the fall of 2006, this parcel is the likely site for a medical complex devoted to possible outpatient medical and imaging services. Southwest plans to partner with the Evergreen School District to plan a curriculum for training in medical professions.
Battle Ground Commitment
Southwest remains committed to providing health care services in the Battle Ground areas as well and hopes to establish a strong primary care presence there within the next 12-18 months.
Discovery Pointe Medical Center
A jewel among Southwest’s recent property acquisitions is the 75 acre Discovery Pointe property. “Discovery Pointe is all about potential. What is done on this site will be based on population growth, feasibility studies, and most importantly community need,” said Gil Rodriguez, MD, chief medical officer, who also leads the planning and business development activities at Southwest.
Initial plans for the property focus on master plan development, followed by planning for possible retail development within the next two or three years. Potential medical uses of the site include physician offices and diagnostic services such as lab and imaging services. The concept is a medical services village or super clinic that meets the outpatient needs of north Clark County residents (Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, and Battle Ground). Design and development of the medical services complex is planned within three to five years. Long-term plans could include development of an inpatient hospital, but it’s too early to know whether a hospital is feasible or necessary.
“We know that property and commercial development is abounding throughout the county, so now is the time to acquire land and lay the groundwork for future medical buildings and services closer to residents’ homes and businesses,” added Rodriguez. “As a non-profit organization with a long history in this community, we’ve been very pleased to partner with other local institutions to buy parcels of land that are near growth areas.”
Integrated System includes Health Plan and Physician Development
Southwest Washington Health System already includes Columbia United Providers (CUP) as a health plan. This successful enterprise focused on Medicaid’s Healthy Options participants has recently been considering expansion plans, including entering the commercial insurance market.
Another affiliate, Family Physicians Group, continues to bring more primary care providers to the area. Mark Magistrale, executive director of the 32-provider group, was tapped to help integrate and manage operations of the hospital’s Healthy Steps Clinic (a resource for low-income families) and residency program and clinic, Family Medicine Southwest (FMSW). Earlier this month, FMSW moved to an expanded location at Memorial Health Center on Main Street in Vancouver.
“Our goal is to be proactive and show the people of Clark County that Southwest intends to be here another 150 years as a leader driven by a mission to serve,” said Joseph M. Kortum, chief executive officer. “Like all organizations, our future lies in decisions made today for long-term success.”
Southwest Washington Medical Center
Southwest is a community-benefit, not-for-profit organization managed by a volunteer board of directors comprised of business and civic leaders. As the longest continuous running hospital west of the Mississippi River, Southwest will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2008. The Medical Center is part of the Southwest Washington Health System, which includes divisions for home care, hospice, ambulatory services, primary care, health plan/insurance, and specialty clinics. Each year, Southwest provides more than $50 million in community benefits through charity care, health education, medical training and a variety of community outreach programs, including mental health services and mother-baby care for low-income families. Repeatedly recognized nationally as a 100 Top Hospital, Southwest provides a full range of outpatient and inpatient diagnostic, medical, and surgical services. Southwest’s 3,280 employees and 545 active medical staff support dozens of medical specialty services including cancer, heart, emergency, trauma, neuro-musculoskeletal, family birth, and primary care.
Port of Ridgefield
The Port of Ridgefield was formed in 1940 and is charged with bringing economic development to the greater Ridgefield area. The Port district covers approximately 57 square miles, represents some 12,000 constituents and is led by three elected commissioners: Joe Melroy, Roy Randel and Bruce Wiseman, and Executive Director Brent Grening
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For information contact:
Kenneth Cole/360-514-3066
Manager, Public Affairs/Communications
kcole@swmedicalcenter.com
Jordan Larner/360-887-3873
PR, Communications Manager
jlarner@portridgefield.org