By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
In spite of cold, rainy weather, the open house for the new Aurora Health Care medical center on Spring Valley Road drew a large crowd Saturday.
An estimated 3,000 turned out for a tour of the facility, an autograph session with three former members of the Green Bay Packers, free food and a ribbon cutting for the new facility, which will officially open Oct. 17.
The facility, called the Aurora Health Center Southern Lakes, houses a day surgery center, a Vince Lombardi Cancer Care department, and three floors of specialty departments that include a complete women’s imaging center, ear, nose and throat, rehabilitation and a pain clinic.
Saturday’s event drew dignitaries from around the area, including Aurora President and Chief Executive Officer Nick Turkal, Executive Vice President and president of the medical group Jeff Bailet, numerous government officials including former City of Burlington Mayor Bob Miller, current Mayor Jeannie Hefty, and Sandi and Dave Conrad – a couple whose medical experience with Aurora helped shape their lives.
Both spoke about their experiences – Sandi as a breast cancer survivor and Dave as a cardiac patient – and how the new facility would help them.
“The cancer center is just beautiful,” Sandi said. “I can’t tell you how moved I was when I first saw it.”
Sandi also cut the ribbon at the end of the event.
Numerous members of the staff of the new facility were on hand both Saturday and on Wednesday for a handful of private tours.
Among the areas of pride for the staff is a private area for the women’s imaging department, where women who are waiting for mammograms have their own area, and where patients’ families can be brought in to discuss any issues.
The clinic will also offer 3-D mammography, which Renee Savee, the lead mammography technician at the facility, said provides better analysis and earlier detection.
“We’re going to offer it to every single patient who walks through our door,” Savee said.
The rehabilitation area, for the most part, has moved from the Aurora Wellness Center to the third floor of the new facility. There, patients will go through physical and occupational therapy, as well as speech and vestibular therapy.
There is a staff of 14 physical therapists, two athletic trainers and a variety of specialty programs and rehab specialists for those programs.
The rehab area is open, with windows on all sides to provide both natural lighting and a view of the countryside.
The cancer clinic features a healing garden that includes a walking path, and will have a library as well.
Other features at the site include a café and a pharmacy – which will deliver prescriptions to patients before they leave.
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