CHELMSFORD – Lowell General Hospital and Shields Health Care, in partnership with leading physicians from the region, announced today the opening of their new ambulatory surgery center in Chelmsford named The Surgery Center of the Merrimack Valley. The center is a newly renovated, 14,700 square foot facility featuring four operating rooms, pre-operative space, and a post anesthesia care unit, in addition to administrative and consultation areas.
Orthopedic surgeries including sports medicine, hand, foot & ankle, total joints and spine, are expected to drive a majority of the initial caseload with other specialties including GYN and plastics to be added in the future.
Designed with the patient experience in mind, the site anticipates serving as many as 15,000 patients in the region over the next four years. Thoughtful planning and renovations with the patient experience in mind, the Center will create accessible, affordable surgery options for the Merrimack Valley.
Shields and Lowell General Hospital have partnered with the community-based specialty physicians from Orthopedic Surgical Associates, New England Foot and Ankle, Merrimack Valley Podiatry, Merrimack Valley Orthopedics, and New England Neurological Associates.
“This new surgery center is part of our ongoing commitment to providing our community with high quality, accessible care,” said Jody White, MBA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lowell General Hospital. “The facility provides another convenient location for Lowell General Hospital’s patients to receive a high level of care, close to their families and support system.”
“We are proud to be a part of this collaborative effort to bring a beautiful new state-of-the-art surgical center to our patients and the Merrimack Valley,” said Dr. Steven Alter of Orthopedic Surgical Associates. “Offering patient-centric, high-quality services in a lower-cost setting addresses a crucial patient need in the area.”
“The opening of the Surgery Center of the Merrimack Valley is the latest milestone in our coordinated effort to bring high-quality, affordable surgical services and care to our patients in their communities,” said Peter Ferrari, President of Shields Health Care Group.
“Bringing patients state-of-the-art care and technology right in their backyards is our top priority and is only possible through our unique collaborations with our valued and trusted physician and healthcare partnerships.”
The Surgery Center of Merrimack Valley will be open Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm. The first surgery will be performed at The Surgery Center on March 1st, with services opening to the greater public planned for April 2022. The Surgery Center of Merrimack Valley is located at 10 Research Place in Chelmsford. ◊