Dr. Peter Gott offers sound medical answers to reader questions in the new Lifestyles section...
By JACK LaDUKE
TUPPER LAKE — The new $3.6 million Tupper Lake Health Center, which began treating people Monday, is being hailed as a big improvement in care for the region.
Adirondack Medical Center's new clinic is across the street from its former site at AMC's Mercy Skilled Nursing Facility, which still makes health care convenient for residents there.
The two-story Health Center has 11 exam rooms, a large nursing station, a room for X-rays and an expanded waiting room.
The center also features a treatment room with emergency-care equipment.
Building officials said the new resource is double the size of the previous space they occupied.
Three physicians and nurses and a physician's assistant will look after the patients. And Health Center Director Patricia Gero said they have room for another doctor if they need to expand.
"The new space not only offers more room and privacy for patients but will serve as a good recruitment tool for physicians and other health-care providers," she said.
Work began on the medical building last June and finished this month. A few last-minute details are being wrapped up by electricians and technicians.
The center will be open Monday to Saturday. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
The phone number is 359-7000.
The Health Center will reduce travel time for many people.
Richard and Hillarie Dechene drove 22 miles from Long Lake to the new facility for X-rays. They said they are thrilled to have the new services so close to them.
Full medical-imaging services will be in operation in March.
Electronic records are being used for all patients. If consultation is needed, a doctor at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake can call up the patient's record quickly and give advice.
The new Health Center will have 32 parking spaces once an unused physicians building on the grounds is demolished.
The Health Center has space for private physicians' practices.
