Avita Health System purchased the former 185,000 square foot Lazarus building at the Richland Mall in Ontario and there were a number reasons behind wanting to purchase the building.
“The building that we chose has a lot of appeal: ease of location for our patients, plenty of parking, a solid foundation on which to remodel, and, of course, availability,” said Vice President of Business Development at Avita Health System–Bucyrus and Galion Community Hospitals Mari Swearingen.
The new location of Avita Health System will create more jobs for the area. “The providers placed at our new facility are representative of Avita Medical Staff in general. Some are already located in Richland County, with additional newly recruited candidates originally from outside the area with plans to relocate. Both Primary Care providers and specialists will have offices in the building. We are anticipating about 70 staff members will initially operate the facility. The population will grow as needed,” said Swearingen.
At the new location of Avita there will be many services offered to patients. “Along with primary care providers and specialists, we will also offer laboratory services, radiology (x-ray), including MRI and CT, and hearing aids through our Audiology Services. Specialists will include ENT, orthopedics, sports medicine, cardiology, vascular services, and pain management services. The list may even grow a bit by opening day. We are still juggling a couple of other options that could be added to Phase 1,” said Swearingen.
The timeline of the opening has been constructed into phases for completion of the project. “The completion of Phase 1 is anticipated for fall next year. I am emphasizing ‘anticipated’ because anyone who has ever remodeled or built knows that sometimes construction delays are beyond our control. At this time, it is too early to set the actual projected opening date,” said Swearingen.
This is the first time that Avita Health System has moved a location to a mall.
“Currently our 21 other locations spread through Richland and Crawford Counties include two hospitals, physician offices, therapy services, a pediatric therapy center, and even separate financial offices in Crestline, but this is the first time we have located next to a mall,” said Swearingen.
General Manager of Richland Mall Jodi Scott was excited to welcome Avita to Richland Mall. “We were thrilled to welcome Avita Health System as our new tenant here at the mall. They are a distinguished health care system and will be creating jobs and providing needed services to the area. That, in turn, will attract additional businesses to Ontario. It really is a win-win for all those involved,” said Scott.
Scott is looking towards the future of this project.“The addition of Avita to Richland Mall will provide a welcome increase in traffic and further establish the center as an integral part of the Mansfield community. We are looking forward to the partnership and opportunities the purchase presents,” said Scott.
Swearingen shared the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive with the recent purchase.
“I have been blessed with the opportunity of talking to both Richland County residents and business acquaintances who are just excited as we are. They have been supportive, visionary, and gracious. Avita strives for geographical representation, so applications are already being accepted for the two positions on Avita’s board that will be added. I am impressed with the spirit of the applicants. The interest in the community is heartwarming,” said Swearingen.
Swearingen revealed her thoughts on future partnerships with shopping malls and healthcare systems. “As for Avita, although we are not targeting mall locations specifically, we are always open to examining options that would allow us to bring the healthcare into the communities we serve. Avita is not the first healthcare system to attach services to a mall. We feel that our new location will enhance convenience to our patients, as well as increase retail traffic to the Richland Mall. We see it as a true win-win,” said Swearingen.
Swearingen praised Scott and Mark Weidemyre for the assistance in this project. “I must tip my hat to Jodi Scott of the Richland Mall for all the effort into welcoming us to the neighborhood. Her assistance, along with the true hospitality shown to us by Mark Weidemyre of the Ontario Growth Association has made this experience unbelievably smooth so far. We have a long list of people to thank for helping us at each step of the way,” said Swearingen.
General Manager of Richland Mall Jodi Scott stated. “We were thrilled to welcome Avita Health System as our new tenant here at the mall. They are a distinguished health care system and will be creating jobs and providing needed services to the area.
