Catholic Health Services just opened up its first Integrated Care facility inside the old Retro Fitness in West Babylon.
Consisting of two primary care physicians, a cardiologist and an endocrinologist, the idea is to have everything a patient needs under one, easy-to-get-to roof.
“Having physicians in one place makes it easier,” said Sunny Chiu, chief administrative officer of the CHS Medical Group “We’re integrating care with new technology to improve physician and patient experiences, while expanding Good Sam into the community.”
The idea is to give patients services in one convenient place so they don’t have to wait at a hospital, but if the physicians see something that they don’t like an ambulance can take them down the street to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip.
“Integrated care is not a new concept,” Chiu told GreaterBabylon. “Patients still need to go to specific offices and specialists, but with physicians working side by side cross referencing, it gives a better quality of care to the patients.”
Construction for the former gym, located at 501A Montauk Highway, began back in September by Melville-based Racanelli Construction Co. Inc. They said that in just three months, they re-did the space into a health office that holds 20 patient rooms, three procedure rooms and private conference rooms. The open-floor plan allows physicians and patients to move easily from room to room. They also have a separate room as a call center, so the front desk receptionists can focus on patients who come in without distractions from a phone.
“We are embracing technology where appropriate,” Chiu said. “We want to continue to walk with you throughout your journey.”
The Integrated Care office opened up this past Monday and celebrated their ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday morning.
CHS plans to expand inside the office by bringing in another primary care physician, another endocrinologist, a breast surgeon, a dermatologist and a podiatrist. They said that similar Integrated Care facilities are planned to open in 2020. The photos of the new office and its ribbon cutting ceremony was taken by Julianne Mosher.
