Haymarket health center opens

By Bennie Scarton Jr.

Published: May 29, 2008

A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday marked the "grand opening" of the new Haymarket Health Center.

The center will officially open for patients on Monday, featuring state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging, a laboratory and rehabilitation services. On July 1, the freestanding Emergency Services department will open, serving patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The center opens with a staff of about 40 employees.

Cynda Tipple, chief operating officer for Prince William Hospital, told the gathering of about 150 employees and guests that the "center was built because of the vision and wisdom of the Health System's Board of Trustees, who foresaw the need for comprehensive outpatient services in western Prince William County."

She added, "This is one of the fastest-growing regions in the entire nation. Last year, the population of Western Prince William County was 99,000. In 2012, the population is projected to be 125,000. The residents here need convenient healthcare and, with the completion of this facility, we will be able to meet those needs."

Dr. Joseph Zurlo, president of the Prince William Hospital Medical staff, said "future growth is why, this July, we will open an emergency services department here in the center."

The full-service emergency room will feature nine beds and a two-bed trauma bay. It will allow emergency room specialist to care for a wide range of emergency needs, from sprains to heart attacks.

"And with diagnostic imaging and lab on site, diagnostics are readily available. The residents of the area may be assured that this ER will be able to provide them with emergency care when they need it," said Zurlo who is executive director of emergency services at the hospital.

Kevin Kraiss, senior vice president of Hammes Company, contractors for the structure that contains 78,000 square feet of ambulatory care and medical office space, said "It is tremendously gratifying to be here with all of you today to mark the opening of this three-story, state-of-the-art healthcare facility. We applaud Prince William Health System, its Trustees and the physicians for having the vision and commitment to make this new healthcare campus a reality."

Closing out the guest speakers was John Grzejka, member of the Health System board of trustees, who said "I am delighted to be here, and I'm pleased to see so many supporters here today. Being accountable for the healthcare of the community is a tremendous responsibility but it is a job that must be done. And when we achieve such milestones as today's ribbon-cutting, it is indeed an occasion to celebrate. What you may not know is that this building is just a start at this site. In time, our plan is to build a second medical office building and, eventually a hospital."

The four speakers then participated in the traditional cutting of the ribbon and offered a tour of the facility.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.