Breaking ground for new facility
Published 11:20 am Wednesday, March 13, 2013
A ground-breaking ceremony for a new orthopedic and physical therapy facility took place Monday at the future location on Fairview Drive. From left, Franklin-Southampton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Teresa Beale, Southampton Memorial Hospital Director of Rehabilitation Dan Hoctor, Sean Hindman, Sheila Gay, Kristen Myers, Janet Bulls, Julie Holland, Spring Byrum, State Delegate Roslyn Tyler, (D-Jarratt), project architect Armond Reich, SMH Chief Executive Officer Phil Wright, Dr. Manish Patel and wife Vaishali, project engineer Steve Gottlieb, Towne Bank representative Phil Smith, Franklin Mayor Raystine Johnson-Ashburn, Councilwoman Mary Hilliard, City Manager Randy Martin and SMH Assistant CEO Kim Marks. — ANDREW FAISON/TIDEWATER NEWS
BY ANDREW FAISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
andrew.faison@tidewaternews.com
FRANKLIN—The vision of a new office building for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Manish Patel, is one step closer to reality after breaking ground on Monday.
“I have been looking forward to this day for some time, especially as a part of my long-term commitment to the area,” said Patel before a crowd of 50. “This project is a way for me to give back to the area.”
The 8,600-square-foot building, expected to cost $900,000, will be located next to the Franklin City Health Department on Fairview Drive.
“This will be a great building,” said Phil Wright, chief executive officer of Southampton Memorial Hospital. “It has been in development for several years and we are excited about it and the continuing partnership with Dr. Patel’s office.”
The building will house orthopedic and physical therapy offices in one location and will also include private treatment rooms. There will also be a kitchen and laundry room for occupational and physical therapy.
“This new building will allow us to recruit additional specialists,” said Patel, who has served the area for over six years.
Patel said that approximately three years ago he recognized an increasing need for his specialty, so he bought the land from Southampton Memorial Hospital to expand the practice.
“One of the first things people said when I came to the area was ‘Please don’t leave us, Dr. Patel,’” he explained. “I hope this shows that I am not going anywhere.”
Patel recently added a physician’s assistance to his practice and ultimately hopes to hire an additional orthopedic surgeon.
The building will also allow his practice to use the new digital records system at the hospital and include new equipment for therapy services.
