Surgery Center closure affects children's dentists

The facility, owned by Atlanta-based Alliance Surgery Inc., ceased operations Nov. 30.

The center at 1350 E. Woodhurst Drive, which had been operating in Springfield for 25 years, was purchased by Alliance in April 2005. It was shut down due to an inability to fulfill Alliance’s mission, according to a written statement from the for-profit company.

“Alliance Surgery is committed to providing cost-effective, high quality care to patients in the communities we serve,” the company said in the statement. “Despite our best efforts, there are times when we cannot fulfill that mission and we are forced to make difficult decisions. Facility closures are such an example.”

The statement added that the company is working with other area providers to make patients aware of alternatives. Janet Holland, vice president of development for Alliance, said the company had no further comment on the closure.

Both CoxHealth and St. John’s officials have said they will be picking up some of the previously scheduled procedures from the Surgery Center, though the responsibility of rescheduling those procedures falls on the patients and their referring physicians.

One area of medicine that could be impacted by the closure is dentistry.

Biting into dental surgeries

Dr. Kelly Barnett, president of the Springfield Dental Society, said that while general dentistry work would feel little effect, it could make a difference for pedodontists – dentists who work with children.

“There are many pedodontists that used the Surgery Center to sedate young patients for major treatment,” Barnett said, “because it’s in more of a hospital setting with closer monitors (than a dentist’s office). With little tiny patients, you don’t want to take any chances.”

St. John’s spokeswoman Cora Scott said that while some of the previously scheduled appointments at the Surgery Center have been moved to the St. John’s ambulatory surgery center at National and Seminole, none have been dental procedures.

CoxHealth Vice President of Clinical Services Mary Knapp said between 60 and 70 procedures have been rescheduled at CoxHealth, several of which are dental.

“Most of the physicians who were working there have worked with Cox at some point in the past, so they’re quite familiar with us and we’re familiar with what they need,” Knapp said.

She added that CoxHealth has also hired one member of the center’s staff.

New specialty hospital

While one national health care provider exits Springfield, another is on its way in.

Select Medical Care in August announced plans to build Select Specialty Hospital on nine leased acres on East Primrose Street.

Select Specialty Hospital probably would not pick up much work due to the closing of the Surgery Center, however, as Select’s 44-bed, $15.7 million Springfield facility will specialize in care for critically ill patients suffering from severe conditions or complex injuries requiring an average hospital stay of 25 days or longer.

Executives with Select Medical Care could not be reached by press time to comment on the progress of those plans.

Company officials have previously

said that Select Medical’s new hospital would not compete with existing facilities in the region, a statement backed by representatives from both CoxHealth and St. John’s.