MultiCare re-affirmed\u00a0its commitment to the Kent community Nov. 6 by breaking ground on an all-new $17.5 million comprehensive family health clinic to replace the current facility on State Avenue.<\/p>\n
The 36,000-square-foot clinic is scheduled for completion in 2019 and will expand spaces for primary care, women\u2019s health, occupational medicine and urgent care. It will also house a new retail pharmacy.<\/p>\n
In 2014, a study determined that the older building, which dates to the 1950s, would require significant investment in the coming years. To support the rapidly growing community, MultiCare leadership determined that the best long-term approach would be to invest in an all-new facility designed to improve work flows and efficiency for patient care, while also leveraging modern design to reduce facility operating costs. This ground-up also eliminates any disruptions to care that upgrading the old facility would have caused.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited to begin construction of this clinic because we know it brings us closer to being able to provide even better care to our patients,\u201d says Karen Graham, administrator of MultiCare Medical Associates clinic operations. \u201cThis clinic represents MultiCare\u2019s continued commitment to the Kent community, and we think it will provide a better patient experience while also providing a more efficient work environment for employees.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hilton Chen, MD, a family practice physician at the clinic since 2002, says the design of the new facility should have a positive impact on communication and camaraderie among the staff because the entire practice will all be on the same floor.<\/p>\n
The current clinic, which is located on the same property as the new building, will remain open until the new one opens.<\/p>\n