Construction began last week on a unique new medical clinic that will have a wide range of health services, from doctors and chiropractors to dentists and physiotherapists, all under one roof.
A ground breaking ceremony was held May 25 for a new health clinic in the Southbank Business Park developed by Okotoks chiropractor Paul Hicke, who currently practices out of Southridge Village Chiropractic Centre.
Hicke said health care practitioners often work in “islands” separated from other professionals.
He wanted to bring a range of services and professionals together under one roof to support their patients.
“The vision for this is just to create an exceptional medical facility with all of the practitioners working together collaboratively,” said Hicke. “It’s something that really has been missing in healthcare for a long time.”
Construction on the 16,000-square-foot building will open by the end of January 2017 with an opening date around the same time.
Hicke will move his chiropractic practice to the new the building and he will be joined by a variety of other health services. Pinnacle Medical Group will open a pharmacy and medical clinic with enough space for up to six full-time physicians.
Hicke said he also plans on having massage therapists, physiotherapists, radiology services, even a dentist office and a naturopath all under the same roof.
“We feel that with those services we really can cover a very broad spectrum of medical conditions and be able to treat almost anything,” he said.
He said many of his patients are seeing doctors in Calgary and would like to have a physician in Okotoks.
Hicke said patients will benefit from having different practitioners who can provide different approaches to treating their conditions.
For example, he said many of his patients have TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) problems. He said he and the dentist in the building will be able to work together to help these patients.
“When we work together, the patient has a better outcome,” he said.
Shawn Nicol, owner of the Peak Medical Group, said the new centre is the way of the future. The Peak Medical Group is the parent company for Pinnacle Medical Centres.
“Paul’s project presented a unique situation, which included chiropractic and physio and massage and diagnostic imaging, which are disciplines which we haven’t worked with in the past,” said Nicol. “It’s an exciting opportunity for us to grow.”
He said the company follows a multi-disciplinary approach in other centres with specialists working with family physicians and other professionals. Yet, the new facility centre is a unique model because of the variety of medical and health services.
Pinnacle Medical Centres is also building a new medical centre in the Westmount area.
Both Hicke and Nicol said the Town of Okotoks has been a strong supporter of the vision for the facility.
Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson said it’s an excellent example of innovation.
He said the new centre, along with the Pinnacle clinic in the Westmount area will make a big difference on the town’s doctor shortage.
“Over the next year we’re going to have spaces for 10 physicians, some specialists, some general practitioners coming to town which is great for our overall community health,” said Robertson.
