WAYLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — The University of Michigan HealthWest has officially opened its new $10.4 million health center in Wayland.
Construction began in March 2023 and was completed this month, ahead of schedule. Patients have already been visiting the center since last week in preparation for Tuesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Weyland, you told us what you needed. We listened to you, listened to your input, and delivered this wonderful building that will serve the Wayland community for many years.” said Dr. Ronald Grifka, president of UM Health-West.
The center is located at 1113 West Superior Street, the area is 17,300 sqft. It's much larger than the provider's older center down here.
“We've surpassed that,” Grifka said. “It was small and outdated.”
University of Michigan HealthWest has more space and expanded specialty care, including sleep medicine, psychiatry, pulmonology, and gastroenterology. Previously, Wayland patients were referred to other centers in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. The new center aims to “keep community care local.”
“It's basically about getting people's needs to where they are,” said Dr. Gregory Niegos, interim medical director for University of Michigan Health Partners. “I think in many communities, people are putting off care rather than driving to care. This is a novelty of having everything in one accessible center. I think it will be a good approach.”
The center can also accommodate specialties in cardiology, endocrinology, and women's health.
As West Michigan grows, UM Health-West hopes the larger Wayland center will help meet additional needs. Grifka said he aims to double the number of health care workers at Wayland from its previous location within the next two years.
“Local residents don't have to drive far to receive specialized care,” Grifka said.
Neagos said the additional space will allow the center to perform more tests than before, including stress tests and pulmonary function tests.
It is envisioned as a one-stop shop for primary and specialty care. Neagos said he hopes to see improved health care access and services in the community in the long term.
“I think our healthcare providers are excited to be in a new state-of-the-art facility, and we hope the community embraces and embraces this as much as we have,” Neagos said. said.
