Prospect Hill groundbreaking2010Prospect Hill was once a doctorless community, but now the rural area nestled just on the border of Orange and Caswell counties, is home to a community health center that offers all aspects of care. Last week, a groundbreaking was held to mark the beginning of the center’s new home. The new Prospect Hill Community Health Center will be located next to the current facility on Main Street.

Debra Markley, project coordinator for Piedmont Health Services, which oversees the Prospect Hill center, said the two-story building will likely be completed in about nine months. “It will have the only elevator in Prospect Hill,” she said. The facility, which is largely being paid for with federal stimulus money, will be more efficient that Prospect Hill’s current 20-year-old building.

Jim Young, manager of facilities and planning, said the new office will be designed in a circular fashion, making it easier to navigate for patients. It will also feature more advanced technology and new equipment. The groundbreaking for Prospect Hill’s new building was held in conjunction with Piedmont Health Services’ 40th anniversary.
Following the ceremonial groundbreaking, a celebration was held at Prospect Hill’s current location.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Toomey said the Prospect Hill Center has been successful because of the people who gave money and time to its mission.
“This is an organization made up of difference makers,” Toomey told an audience made up of board members, employees, patients and local dignitaries including Rep. Brad Miller, N.C. Sen. Rick Gunn and Yanceyville Mayor Curtis Davis. Dr. Bill Selvidge, one of the center’s doctors, said he first started his career with the company Sept. 11, 1989, shortly before the current building was completed.

Back then, the center operated out of a brick building at the end of the road. “When I think of that building, I think of all the people who have been there since the beginning,” Selvidge said. “Now we’re looking forward to a new building, but there are some things from that old building that I hope we won’t let go of.” Selvidge said when the current building was constructed, the Prospect Hill community raised $50,000 for its completion. He said that kind of community support is what has made the center such a success.

Brian&Brad_Miller PH Groundbreaking12-2010Rep. Brad Miller said Prospect Hill Community Health Center, which offers medical and dental services, along with an in-house pharmacy, should serve as an example to other communities.

Such facilities help free up emergency rooms to take care of true emergencies rather than illnesses and injuries that could be treated elsewhere.
Plus, it’s cheaper for patients to be seen at health centers. “It saves us a lot of money. This is how health care should work in this country. Period,” Miller said.

By Robin Clayton
r.clayton@newsoforange.com

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