March 19, 2024

Clarke County Hospital services continue to grow

Addition of Orthopedic specialist latest in improvements

The $29 million, 63,000 square-foot hospital expansion, which concluded in May 2016, transformed Clarke County Hospital from a traditional small-town hospital to a fully modernized medical center. The new emergency department opened in November, and 3D mammogram equipment was unveiled in January. Opportunities for advanced care in Osceola continue to grow, including where practitioners are concerned.

“We’re doing a lot from a physician standpoint because they’re keeping busy here,” said Brian Evans at a recent meeting for the Clarke County Development Corporation.

January saw the number of specialists available at the hospital swell to 20, though most host clinical days here once or twice a month. Patients will also see an increase in the number of clinical days.

“Our allergist, who is currently half days, will be increasing his coverage later this year to full days once a month,” said Tiffany Redman, public relations specialist at Clarke County Hospital. “Our ENT, who is currently seeing patients one day a month, will start seeing patients two days a month later this year.”

A new orthopedic specialist joined the hospital in January as well. Dr. William Ralston won’t be the last to join the team in 2017.

A look toward future plans

Half a month into the New Year, and the hospital is buzzing with new activity.

“With the expansion we’ve had, we’re filling it up,” said Evans. “Actually, we’re looking into our old space for more practitioner space.”

Potential plans include adding more specialists and specialty projects, such as the pain management clinic discussed as of late.

“On the pain management clinic, we are doing some initial investigation and research on the opportunity of offering a pain management clinic at CCH. This is just research right now,” said Redmond, “nothing concrete.”

Evans offered a heartfelt thanks to the CCDC during the meeting as well.

“We want to recognize the Clarke County Development Corporation for their support in providing the matching grant that allowed us to afford to do our expansion project,” said Evans, representing the Clarke County Hospital Foundation and noting the significant impact the group has had on the hospital and on residents across Clarke County.

With continued support from organizations like the CCDC, and especially from patients located in and around Osceola, services at the local hospital will keep improving.