By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – The parking lot was a mix of casual wear, first response uniforms, business attire and blue scrubs as a ribbon cutting was held for the newly established and relatively soon to open Grandview Emergency Department facility in Trussville.
“Really, freestanding emergency departments and specifically the one in Trussville is about meeting a community’s needs,” said Dr. Kevin Cope, DO and emergency medicine specialist at Grandview. “A lot of the Trussville community uses Grandview services. We recognized that Birmingham’s a fairly large geographic area and recognized that the residents of Trussville deserved a facility here and that we could provide an elevated level of care.”
Before the ribbon was cut in front of the entrance to the facility, several speakers talked about the new department. Among them was none other than James Spann, who sits on the board of trustees at Grandview Health Center as chairman.
Spann asked for a moment of silence in honor of those who died in the recent Lifesaver 4 crash before delivering a prayer.
“We are just thankful for this opportunity,” Spann said during the prayer. “Life’s really short for everybody here, and for those of us who are in the healthcare business, it’s just an incredible opportunity; it’s incredible that we have to serve and at the same time it’s an incredible responsibility.”
Grandview CEO Daniel McKinney recognized the board of trustees, the Trussville Chamber of Commerce, the elected officials, the EMS workers, and affiliate ApolloMD, as well as Brassfield and Gorrie, which constructed the building.
“My comments are going to be incredibly brief,” McKinney told the crowd. “But I do want to say: I think this is what’s right with healthcare. When we look at what’s right, I think this is a prime example. It’s an organization, a collective group of individuals taking a chance on a community to expand healthcare and needed service to that community.”
Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat was among the speakers.
“You know, I tell people all the time,” said Choat. “Grandview’s no exception. You have choices, where to go, where to put your facilities and offer your services, but we’re honored that you chose Trussville. We feel like we’ve got a community that will not only support you, you’ll support our community, offer things that we’ve needed out here that we were not able to get.”
The facility is a freestanding emergency services provider that is not a full hospital but can provide transportation to hospitals if needed.
“What this freestanding emergency department provides for in Trussville and the surrounding areas is improved access to care,” said another speaker, emergency physician and Trussville resident Dr. Jeremy Rogers. “We desperately need more emergency medicine beds available in our community and that’s what this provides. Particularly here in the heart of downtown Trussville.”
Rogers said that the department operates 24/7. A number of health issues can be addressed by staff physicians such as chest pains, abdominal pains, trauma, ankle sprains and many others that often need immediate attention. The location is a convenient spot for those who need help much quicker.
The department also boasts “state of the art” technology with diagnostics, CAT scans, ultrasound, x-rays, lab services and medication. Rogers said that there is a network of specialists such as surgeons, general surgeons, and cardiologists.
“What this represents to me is really an extension of Grandview,” Rogers said. “This is not a full hospital, it’s a freestanding emergency department but in many ways this is an extension of our facility into the city of Trussville.”
Last to speak was Drew Mason, who represented Grandview’s corporate partner Community Health Systems.
“The community has chosen to give us a chance,” he said. “And let me just say to the city of Trussville and to the community business partners that are here: I promise you we will not let you down. There are too many well attended people here that are in scrubs and our clinical leaders who have done this before, who have asked the community to believe in them. I promise you that they are going to take this incredibly seriously.”
The facility is not officially open yet but it is hoped that doors will open within the month of April. It is located at 5542 Vanlerberghe Lane.