ASHLAND — Doctors Kim Royal and Michael Stencel took the first swings at drywall in University Hospitals’ administration building on Main Street Wednesday afternoon.
Nearly 12,000 square feet of the administration building will be converted into a new clinical space for physicians from Claremont Medical and Medical Associates to practice.
Construction will take place through the late summer, according to Sylvia Radziszewski, the chief operations officer at University Hospitals.
“The newly renovated health clinic will offer laboratory services with a private area for blood draws, 24 exam rooms (including 2 that are family sized), kiosks for self-registration, and new equipment to monitor patient vitals,” stated a press release about the project.
Starting off with a bang
At a groundbreaking ceremony, Radziszewski thanked the Samaritan Hospital Foundation for a gift that made the construction possible.
University Hospitals has prepared for the new space for a long time, she said. Over the last few months, they’ve cleared out the space and made it ready to tear down and rebuild.
“We as a community, and as a hospital, really like to hold onto things,” Radziszewski said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “But, we’re really excited.”
Dennis Miller, a member of the Samaritan Hospital Foundation’s board and of city council, also spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony. He said as a board member, city council member and community member, he’s proud of Ashland’s hospitals.
When people look for a place to live, according to Miller, they look at three factors: schools, recreation and hospitals.
“We’re so blessed as a council and the mayor tat we check all the boxes,” Miller said.
He added that, as an “old, retired guy,” he’s grateful that University Hospitals offers high-quality care in Ashland.
Radziszewski was presented with certificates from Sen. Sherrod Brown and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, along with a proclamation from the Ohio State House of Representatives to celebrate the groundbreaking.
She said she feels excited about where the project stands, and for Claremont Medical and Medical Associates’ upcoming moves.
“These caregivers live in this community,” Radziszewski said. “They’re caring for their loved ones.”
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