By K.B. Sherman, Community Reporter
Shrewsbury – If a proponent’s plan is approved, Shrewsbury will soon have a new ambulatory surgical care center.
Eric Dickson, MD, , the CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care System, presented his proposal to the Board of Selectmen at the board’s March 10 meeting. The center would be located at 151 Main Street under the name Healthcare Enterprises LLC.
Dickson noted that ambulatory care is not well-served in the central Massachusetts/Worcester area. The proposed center would be approximately 40,000 square feet in size and would employ nine surgical suites supported by major physicians’ groups in the area, including UMass Medical Center. He indicated that the center would seek state public health support as well and expects to be licensed by the end of March. He expressed the hope that the Board of Selectmen would indicate by letter its support for the operation before the proposal goes before the Board of Health in Boston.
Selectman Maurice DePalo asked what kind of surgery would be performed at the center, to which Dickson replied that it would be minor surgery, employing mild anesthetic techniques. The center would be open initially from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Plans call for obtaining an operating license in May with the center to open in late 2016. Dickson also confirmed that the center would probably be tied into the Community Health Initiative and the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers. Selectmen Chair James Kane asked if the business would be expanded in the foreseeable future, to which Dickson replied that this was a possibility.
The board then moved and approved by unanimous vote that the proposal be approved with a letter of support.