Residents Embrace New Outpatient Facility

A warm, stone fireplace invites residents into the 50,000-square-foot outpatient facility off state Route 19, in what was until most recently Radicchio's International Marketplace.

A cafe area sits to the right of the entrance, lit with an abundance of natural light, a strategically planned effort of Kim Malinky, president and chief executive officer of

Monday afternoon commenced the center's open house, ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours for residents. A harpist played in the background as guests mingled with hospital personnel and the people who made the center possible.

"It is so nice to see the community's support today," said Acacia Svonavec, marketing director at Canonsburg General Hospital, who was responsible for Monday's event. 

Canonsburg General Hospital Vice President Terry Wiltrout, who put his VP position on hold to live and breathe the center, agrees. 

"It is a pleasure to see everyone come out to the open house today," he said. "It is our goal to offer patients one center of care for their outpatient needs."

Prior to the ribbon cutting, Malinky, Dr. Christopher Olivia, president and CEO of the West Penn Allegheny Health System; U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy; and Dr. David S. Parda, who chairs West Penn's department of radiation oncology, spoke on health care.

"We're proud of what we're creating," Olivia said. "Health care is changing. The good, the bad, the ugly," with reference to ObamaCare. "Medicine today is not the same. Many procedures no longer require hospital stay." 

Olivia gave kudos to the hospitals in the area that "treat and heal the sickest patients," however, he noted there are those who want alternative treatment in centers closer to home. The Outpatient Care Center is in the best interest of patient care, he said. 

Construction will ensue over the next couple of months, into November, according to Wiltrout. The team is pursuing a financial partnership/joint venture with private practices, which he said will be the first in Pittsburgh. 

With an extensive background in health care, Murphy was proud to speak Monday. 

"The key is all of us and how we use this," he said. "Lines of communication are the main driving force in your own health. I'm excited about this state-of-the-art facility, and the real art comes in how we integrate care together." 

Chief Medical Officer Thomas Corkery, also was set to speak Monday, however, Malinky relayed the message that "his daughter was making him a grandfather." She said he'd been a huge part in the management and leadership of building the facility, as well as a contributor of his clinical expertise.

"We want to provide the best patient experience possible," Malinky said.

The team chose a calming color scheme and areas of natural light. They designed the space with the patient in mind, she said, complete with a cafe, Wi-Fi and computer access in the business center. 

Among open house attendees were Peters Township Manager Michael Silvestri, Peters Police Chief Harry Fruecht, Peters Township Public Library Director Pier Lee, state Rep. Tim Solobay and state Rep. Brandon Neuman.

"It's a tribute to Canonsburg Hospital to open up a facility like this," Rep. Neuman said. "It's great to have accessible care near our district that our constituents can use."

State Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg, agrees.

"What the hospital presents to an area is very important. They are also providing education for folks that is preventative. That means a lot to me," he said. "To have something in our backyard, saving folks time, and overall the ability to get well comfortably. The setting is very relaxing, very homey." 

Dan Laurent, director of media relations for West Penn, sees the move as one toward model health care by bringing convenient services to the community. 

"There's a demand for services," he said. "Procedures are much more advanced and less invasive. Demographics, too. There's been a huge migration to the suburbs. We're providing a variety of services, ahead of the curve."

Services at the Outpatient Care Center include laboratory, medical imaging, medical oncology/hematology, an Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Institute, physician specialists; primary care, radiation oncology, and a surgery center (complete with three fully-functioning operating rooms and two procedure rooms) coming this fall.