Plans for new Waltham site moving forward
The new calendar year ushered in a new era in the history of Children's Hospital Boston when the hospital signed papers making official the purchase of Sterling Medical Center in Waltham and designated the site's new name: Children's Hospital Boston at Waltham. The signing marked the beginning of a multi-phase plan that will result in a major Children's presence in that area.
Phase I will see development of 21,000 of the 200,000 square feet available, positioning Children's to provide an array of clinical programs and services in the ambulatory clinic setting. The new site is scheduled to open in the summer of 2005. Specifics regarding which clinical programs will provide care there are currently being finalized and are expected to be announced shortly.
Mark Marcantano, vice president of Ambulatory and Network Services, says Children's hopes to conduct more than 20,000 patient visits at the new location in FY 06. "Phase I will allow us to begin decompressing the bustling Longwood campus and bring the highest quality pediatric care closer to our patients in the western suburbs," he says. "We think we'll be able to have a significant positive impact on important priorities for patients, such as the time it takes to get an appointment and overall patient satisfaction."
Marcantano says one key to the success of Children's Hospital Boston at Waltham is recruiting the best physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and administrative and support staff for the site. "Having the right people working in Waltham is essential," he says. "We want our patients to know they're getting the same caliber of care that they would get in Boston."
President and CEO James Mandell, MD, who spoke to the Waltham Chamber of Commerce in early December about the hospital's plans, knows how much hard work has been put into making the Waltham deal happen. "The last several months have been very busy, and my thanks go out to everyone involved in the discussions," he says. "The new Waltham site will relieve some of the space and access pressure on the Longwood campus and allow us to provide services to our patients closer to their homes. It's a great opportunity for Children's, and one that I think will benefit everyone involved."
