(1/29) More details were released in regards to the future health and
wellness center located on Mount St. Mary’s (MSMU) campus during the January
Emmitsburg Town meeting. Don Shilling, Vice President of Ambulatory Services
for Frederick Regional Health Systems (FRHS), and Simon Blackwell, MSMU’s Chief
Transformation Officer, were present to answer any questions in regards to this
new facility in the works.
FRHS entered into a five-year contract with MSMU to support its mission to
graduate ethical leaders inspired by a passion for learning. This new
healthcare facility may not only contribute to this mission, but it has the
potential to address the healthcare needs of citizens in the northern part of
Frederick County.
The new facility plans to address the current and future needs of the
university and the community. MSMU currently has needs in: Sports Medicine;
Sports Nutrition and Athletic Performance Management; wellness services for the
student population at no charge to the students; preventative wellness services
for the employee population; healthcare for all students billable to the
students’ health insurer. Future needs of the Mount as discussed include:
employee health care; sports medicine for non-Mount athletic camps and events.
Other community needs that have thus far been addressed are: pediatric, OB/GYN,
geriatric care, transportation, access to health insurance/financial
assistance.
Phase I of this project began last July and is expected to continue through
September of this year. This phase includes: continuing services that support
the athletic program as outlined in the existing Memorandum of Understanding;
using existing MSMU location to support employee, seminarian, and student
healthcare needs including acute care and outlined preventative health
services. Phase II which is expected to begin in the fall, will include the
transformation of on-site services into a multi-disciplined facility supporting
the patient-centered medical home model of care and combining the MSMU and
Community Health Center to include urgent and primary care, radiology, lab and
physical therapy, chronic disease management, behavioral health.
This new 10,000 square foot facility is intended to serve the Mount
population and the community. Blackwell noted that five locations have been
discussed to construct this new center. The most viable options at the moment
are on the North end of campus, next to the athletic field and across from the
campus cottages. Both locations would be convenient and easily accessible for
students as well as safe to access.
Additionally, as a MSMU healthcare facility, the new center would follow the
Catholic directives. A management/ethics committee would be formed to ensure
the facility remains in compliance with the Catholic directives. No beginning
of life or end of life issues would be handled at this facility.
In other MSMU news, a new student venue is in the works. The site
development plan for the 5,200 square foot building was approved during the
January 9 Frederick County Planning Commission meeting. The new venue will be
located adjacent to existing residence halls on the southwest corner of John
Walsh Way and Annandale road, and will provide a location for students to
gather for events, work on group projects and engage in social activities.
The student venue would expand services to the existing student body, not
directly increasing the student capacity of the school. Additionally, the
building would be within walkable pedestrian access for the university and
accessible from anywhere on campus. Three bike racks will be installed as well.
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