GALION – OhioHealth has made a $1 million investment to expand health care services for Crawford County residents with a commitment to creating a new “model of care.”The announcement was made during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for OhioHealth’s new Physician Group practice in Galion, located at 745 Carter Drive in the Discount Drug Mart Plaza. OhioHealth also plans to open an urgent care facility in Bucyrus later this year, adding a combined 20 new jobs to the workforce.
Vinson Yates, president of OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and Shelby Hospital, said that Columbus-based health system – the region’s largest health care provider – is focusing not only on health and wellness services but is also striving to be “the provider of choice” for Crawford County residents.
“We’ve had a presence in the community for years,” said Yates, who joined city officials and local chamber of commerce and economic development representatives for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. “In eight simple words, we want ‘to improve the health of those we serve.’”
Galion’s Physician Group Practice, which opened Oct. 10, is staffed by Lee Ann Ivy, CNP, Karen Crane, CNP and Dr. William S. Ballinger. Specialists from OhioHealth’s nationally recognized heart and vascular program in Mansfield will also be seeing patients there.
The Urgent Care, 1820 E. Mansfield St., will be open seven days a week with extended evening hours for patients with non-life-threatening injuries. The location is currently shared by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jay Guth and the Kidney Associates, Inc., who will continue to see patients during and after construction.
“We believe Urgent Care is an important element in the continuum of care for patients,” said Geoff Gregory, vice president of OhioHealth Physician Group North Region. “Helping patients avoid the emergency room for care that doesn’t require that level of care is just the right thing to do.”
Gary Frankhouse, executive and economic development director for the Crawford Partnership, noted that the health care industry is the fastest growing sector in the county. He welcomed “the new face of OhioHealth” to Galion and said he’s looking forward to a long and productive future together.
Remodeling of the 2,500-square-foot building started last December, hospital officials said, but that project and others were put on hold during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. Plans are to expand the practice to include orthopedics, oncology and neurology. New patients are being accepted, and appointments can be made by calling 567-309-2050.
Prior to opening, Urgent Care is offering the option of virtual health visits by logging onto the OhioHealth mobile app or by calling 614-788-6488 to schedule an appointment. Other urgent care facilities operated by OhioHealth are in Ontario and Marion.
