Posted on 05/22/2010 3:57:01 PM PDT by TennesseeGirl
In what planners describe as a unique model for health care, Erlanger hospital will construct a multi-million dollar health and wellness facility at the Volkswagen auto assembly plant to serve both VW employees and the surrounding community.
"This is about wellness. This is about finding a way not to increase health care costs, but decrease health care costs," Jim Brexler, president and CEO of Erlanger, said at a press conference on Friday.
Hospital officials are seeking a developer to construct the project within 12 months so the site will be ready in time for the plant's opening next year, Mr. Brexler said.
Erlanger's total investment in the facility will ultimately be "upwards of $10 million," said Donna Bourdon, senior vice president of ambulatory services at Erlanger.
At the press conference, Erlanger and Volkswagen officials unveiled sketches of the planned 32,000-square-foot facility, which will offer primary care, rehabilitative services, a pharmacy, dental and eye care and a fitness center, as well as a 13,000-square-foot child care center.
Pictured is a planned wellness and health center at the Volkswagen assembly plant.
Specialists in orthopedics and gynecology will rotate through the center as needed, and the site will include a helipad to accommodate Life Force helicopters for emergency care, organizers said.
The planned health and wellness facility builds upon Volkswagen's strong relationship with Erlanger, said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for Volkswagen in Chattanooga.
"We feel confident this will ensure the best medical care for our team members so they receive the help they need, when they need it," he said.
In January Erlanger announced that Volkswagen had accepted the hospital's bid for a three-year contract to provide health care services for more than 2,000 employees at the automaker's assembly plant here.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesfreepress.com ...
I wonder if the incinerators I installed over 25 years ago are still running at Erlanger?
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