Saturday's Internet Edition, May 17, 2008.
Company Proposes Site Across Yadkin
From Davie County
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Novant Health announced plans to transfer its aging Medical Park Hospital from Winston-Salem to a new $96 million, 50-bed facility it wants to build on Harper Road. The plan conflicts with Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital’s earlier announcement that it will build an 81-bed hospital two miles west in Davie County.
An hour later, WFU upped the ante, adding a full obstetrics unit to its plans for Davie County, an area of service yielded to Forsyth Hospital in past years. That means babies could be delivered in Advance.
Greg Beier, president of Forsyth Medical Center, said the people of Clemmons, Lewisville and Davie County are his hospital’s patients, and Novant is moving closer to serve them better.
“Patients will continue to receive their care from physicians they know and trust, but closer to home,” he said.
The medical giants have competed for years in Winston-Salem. The two potential satellites would be just as close - one I-40 exit away.
Clemmons Mayor Ed Brewer welcomed Novant’s announcement, staged at the village hall.
“This is wonderful news,” he said. “We think you’re making the right decision. Western Forsyth County has grown like crazy.”
Beier said Medical Park on South Hawthorne Road is 40 years old and in need of a major overhaul.
“Simply put, Medical Park Hospital is a great hospital looking for a new home that will allow it to grow and flourish,” he said. “Clemmons is a logical place for this new facility because more than 60 percent of the patients in the greater Clemmons area already choose to receive care from Forsyth Medical Center affiliated physicians and facilities.”
Donny Lambeth, interim chair of WFU Baptist, said his operation is continuing with its plan.
“Obviously, they are threatened by our plans in Davie and felt they had to react. We feel very good about our plan. We think it’s a good, viable plan, and we will prevail on our merits. A lot of effort went into it by the people of Davie County.
“We will be delivering babies in ... subscribe to the Davie County Enterprise Record, P.O. Box 99, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.