New outpatient site opens
SLIPPERY ROCK — Butler Health System is growing once again with the opening Monday of its new outpatient facility on Innovation Drive.
About 30 people attended the ribbon-cutting event and building tours.
Jana Panther, director of outpatient services, showed off the 27,000-square-foot building, that includes Dr. Michael McDonald's general practice; the BHS Imaging Center with X-ray, MRI, CT scan machines; space for other offices and exam space for doctors; the newest Tri Rivers Surgical Associates office; and space for cardiology specialists.
“We have already built the space. Now we will see what the community wants and needs through this facility,” Panther said.
Ken DeFurio, health system president and CEO, said this building is “the future of health care.
“It is a low-cost, low-maintenance way to provide much needed health services to a variety of communities,” he said.
Robert Smith, president of Slippery Rock University, said the opening of the facility is a “Godsend,” that completes the quality of life Slippery Rock residents have come to expect.
“We have good schools, good parks, good citizens, but what was missing was a health care system,” he said.
Smith, who worked with both the SRU Foundation and BHS to help bring the building to the community, said he has received a number of e-mails from people who are happy with being able to receive care in Slippery Rock.
“This is a bright, bright sunny day for Slippery Rock,” Smith said.
