Healthcare
The state of healthcare in the O’Fallon area is—well, healthy. With a wide variety of services and some of the most innovative equipment and techniques available, residents of the area can be sure they have a network of strong allies in their quest for a long, comfortable future.
Memorial Hospital
The largest health facility in the O’Fallon area is Memorial Hospital in Belleville, with 313 beds and a medical staff of 300 physicians in 44 specialties. The area’s sixth largest employer, Memorial’s footprint extends into financial health as well, with more than 2,200 full- and part-time employees. In addition, with the hospital’s adjacent 108-bed nursing/rehabilitation facility, Memorial strives to present the best in wide-ranging patient care.
One of the newest, most exciting offerings at Memorial is the acquisition of the Definition, a CT (computed tomography) scanner that offers the clearest views possible of a beating heart, while exposing the patient to lower radiation than other scanners. In addition, the Definition allows for a coronary CT angiography (CTA). The CT provides a diagnosis of coronary artery disease while reducing the need for such invasive procedures as cardiac catheterization. According to Mark J. Turner, president and CEO of Memorial, “This technology enables Memorial to bring the most advanced CT imaging available to our patients. The speed of the system and reduction in patient preparation time provides efficiency and enhanced patient convenience.”
In addition to the CT scanner, Memorial Hospital has grown in other technology as well. In 2007 alone, the hospital has seen the addition of state-of-the- art equipment for digital mammography and breast magnetic imaging, as well as for bone density measurement and diagnosis.
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, also in Belleville, also boasts strong patient services. The oldest healthcare facility in the area, St. Elizabeth’s was built in 1880 with a capacity of 58. The hospital grew rapidly, culminating in 1954 with the construction of an entirely new, state-of-the-art building on the original site. Since that time, the hospital has quadrupled in size, and now includes outpatient facilities in O’Fallon and Columbia/ Waterloo. Most recently, St. Elizabeth’s opened its new Heart and Vascular center, combining cardiology and vascular surgery into the same department.
In addition, St. Elizabeth’s is a leader in maternity care, with its Mother-Child Services Department offering a post-partum team that includes a childbirth educator, clinical resource nurse and certified car seat technician. In addition, the hospital has developed the only Level II Special Care nursery in the southern Illinois area, with a board-certified neonatologist on staff to care for special needs births. Classes for new moms and dads are also available, to ensure the best start for the new addition.
Having two forward-thinking hospitals in the O’Fallon area has benefited area residents greatly, as seen when the two recently joined forces to establish the Cancer Treatment Center. The 9,000-square-foot facility expansion in Swansea was built in a collaborative agreement with Illinois Oncology Ltd. The new center provides the latest in medical oncology and hematology services, effectively expanding to meet the needs of the area.
Adding to the List...
With O’Fallon’s proximity to the city of St. Louis, its healthcare options are truly endless. A host of major hospitals dot the map of St. Louis, which includes such medical leaders as BJC HealthCare-St. Louis, Ascension Health, Forest Park Hospital, Kindred Hospital-St. Louis, SSM Health Care-St. Louis and a number of other medical resources.
Outside of hospital facilities, the O’Fallon area is also blessed with a variety of physicians, including groups for specialized medical conditions. One example of the latter is the Family Physicians of O’Fallon, which provides 24/7 office-based medical attention to patients of all ages. Preventive medical services and early detection programs are fused with acute and chronic medical attention.
Associated Physicians Group, one of the few facilities in Illinois, specializes in orthopedic medicine for pain management. Its members are specially trained for pain relief, and the staff includes medical and chiropractic physicians, physical therapists and nurse practitioners, all working together as a team for the relief of patient pain.
Another specialty group, Mid America Imaging, offers high-screen imaging for faster scanning. The group also offers open field imaging, which provides a comfortable screening alternative for large or claustrophobic patients. The use of magnetic resonance imaging is a high-resolution detection device that uses magnetic fields, radio waves and computer technology to provide O’Fallon area residents with a safer alternative to radiation techniques.
In addition to an abundance of medical choices, the O’Fallon area also enjoys a healthy dose of other health services, from dentists to chiropractors, the latter of which offer styles from traditional manual adjustment through other methods such as diversified, Gonstead, Cox, flexion-distraction and activator techniques.
Eye care is just as diversified. Residents can choose from many franchises for their eyewear, or select a private practice optometrist such as Dr. Michael Murphy at Vision Care Associates, or the eye specialists at Lakepointe Vision Center, Clarkson Eyecare, or Family Eyecare of O’Fallon. Along with testing vision and providing corrective lenses, these optometrists also work in conjunction with eye surgeons to assure complete eye care prior to and following surgeries such as lasik or cataract procedures.
The state of healthcare is strong in the O’Fallon area, with the best in facilities and professionals available, along with the newest in equipment and techniques. All these advances mean that O’Fallon area residents have access to the newest, best technology to ensure top-notch healthcare. Obviously, whatever their healthcare needs, O’Fallon residents can rest assured that they have some very healthy choices.
Related Websites:
www.memhosp.com
www.steliz.org
www.thecancercenter.com.
www.ofallondocs.com
www.associatedphysicians.com
www.midamericaimaging.com
www.visionsource-lakepointevision.com
www.eyedoctormike.com
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