HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Local officials and community members gathered in Hanover County for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of a new medical facility.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, February 22, to celebrate the official opening of Marathon Health's newest store on Washington Highway. The facility's ribbon cutting took place on Thursday, but it didn't open until February 14, Valentine's Day.
The new Marathon Health Center will serve as a location where patients can receive X-rays, mental health counseling and other medical needs.
Michelle Hungate has worked as a family nurse for many years and is excited to work in a new setting.
“I really like doing annual health checks, so I'm thinking about how we can improve people's health,” Hungate said.
Annual health exams are one of the ways Hungate helps at its new center located just off Interstate 95 in central Hanover County.
Behavioral health expert Sade Washington, who has been helping people heal for more than 15 years, will also work at the new center. 8News asked her what impresses her about the new facility.
“I love this model,” Washington said. “Because bringing health care, behavioral health and occupational health all together is something that we don't see very often here in Virginia.”
Hanover County Governor John Budesky told 8News that access to health care has been a priority for some time now. He said “Marathon” is more than just the name of a new provider.
“Health is like a marathon,” Budeske says. “It's a really long game. We're looking at the entire population of Hanover County, and we're an aging area, so as our population grows, so does the demand for health care services.”
This is Marathon Health's second facility in the Richmond area, with another opening soon in Richmond.
“I'm very happy to be a part of this effort,” Washington said of the opening of the new medical facility.
