DEER LAKE - The new Geisinger-Orwigsburg location at the Villages at Deer Lake has more room to address the medical needs of Schuylkill County residents.
"We feel it's a little big right now but we're hoping to expand our services," Dr. Carolyn Houk, medical director for all four primary care practices in the county, said before the 2:52 p.m. ribbon-cutting Tuesday inside the building at 300 Hollywood Blvd.
Construction at the current location started in October of last year and finished July 31. It opened Aug. 5.
With 17,000-square-feet of space, the site is almost triple the available space at the former site, 300 Pinebrook Place, which Geisinger had occupied since March 1998. A 15-year lease was signed previously for the space.
"We're really thrilled about our new building. We really hope you love what you see here today," Lorien Beishline, associate vice president of primary care clinics in Geisinger's Central region, said.
Houk, Beishline, Kirk Fanelli, project manager with L&K Construction Inc., Pottsville, and vice president of Fanelli Group Properties, Pottsville, and Jim Turner, supervisor of the West Brunswick Township Board of Supervisors, all spoke before the ribbon-cutting.
Orwigsburg borough manager Mike Lonergan, Geisinger employees and members of the public attended the ribbon cutting and health fair, which was held from 4 to 7 p.m.
A pharmacy, X-Ray room, procedure room, phlebotomy rooms, an additional exam room in the pediatric area and other changes will benefit patients, Geisinger employees said.
Family medicine and internal medicine are also available on site.
Fanelli said the opening of the clinic was "a culmination of many years of planning, hard work and dedication and perseverance."
He later said the desire of Geisinger to establish a stronger presence in the area through the building speaks well of the area.
Turner said the addition of offices is positive.
"This building is going to provide a much-needed service to the lower end of Schuylkill County, and believe me, everybody is talking about it and we are glad you're here. Long live Geisinger."
The building has incorporated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Standards, a more efficient use of lighting in buildings.
Visitors will see a modern look inside the building with a Schuylkill County touch. The pictures and artwork all have a connection to Schuylkill County. Identifying information about the picture and artwork will be provided at a later date, Beishline said.
Patients will notice a pharmacy inside the building. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"We can start them on their medications immediately," said Lori Zaleski, senior director of the Caresite Pharmacy.
Lab work can also be done in the new site. Space designated for lab work at the other site was small, said Karen Kile, regional director of laboratory services. A procedure room where EKGs and other tests are done was also added. Pediatrics also now has three exam rooms, up from 2, and a designated vitals area where heart rate and other routine measurements can be taken. There are also three checkout areas for patients. There were two at the old location.
Currently, 25 employees work at the site. Additional personnel and services, such as cardiology or a nutritionist, could be added in the future, Beishline said.
Of the 60 acres on the site of the former Deer Lake Drive-In, 15 are slated for commercial use. Forino Co. Ltd, Reading, is developing the remaining area for homes, Fanelli said Tuesday. Fanelli said four commercial areas are still available, varying in size from 1-acre to 4 1/2 acres.