Business & Tech

New Jobs Coming Thanks to $15 Million Wheaton Franciscan Office

How many jobs will be generated by the new medical office is unknown, but there is the potential for a significant number in a variety of specialties and support.

When a new Wheaton Franciscan medical office opens next year in Mount Pleasant, patients will find many services available under one roof. The new space is also expected to create a number of new jobs as well.

Currently, doctors for primary care , imaging or heart health are found in several different locations in the greater Racine area. Patients can see one doctor at the Banker's Road office but then have to go to the hospital on Spring Street for cardiac care or physical therapy.

But a new, 27,000 square foot, $15 million medical services building is expected to break ground late next month and open in August 2013, eliminating the need to go from one office to another. Dubbed the Highway 31 office for now, it will be built on Highway 31 and Braun Road.

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John Monks, administrative director for medical groups, said the timing is right because patient feedback gells with expiring leases.

"We've heard repeatedly from patients that they'd like more services under one roof," he said. "Our lease contracts at our locations, like on Bankers Road, are expiring in August 2013 so we had to make a decision."

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At least four new doctors will come on staff in the new building. According to Monks, the community east of I-94 as a whole is short 10 to 15 primary care physicians so this new office will certainly help start to fill that void. He confirmed that physicians, nurses, lab staff and any support staff in offices targeted for closure will move to the new building once it's complete.

Radiology, laboratory services, physical therapy, and rotating specialists in cardiology, gastrointestinal, and orthopaedics will also be housed at the Highway 31 office.

The four new primary care doctors will generate about 15 jobs; the specialists will also need four to five staff each; additonal lab staff is anticipated; and imaging will be all new so there will be a number of positions available in that department as well. Nurses, of course, will also be required.

"I don't know how many positions we'll have available, but it will be a lot," Monks said. "As patient volume increases, so will the need to add doctors, nurses, specialists, and support staff."

Another new Wheaton office on Washington Avenue next to Grand Appliance and TV is expected to open in November with four new primary care doctors and the requisite staffing, too. Monks said two doctors have already been hired and are training at other facilities.

As for whether or not either location will generate any tax revenue for Mount Pleasant, Village Assessor Dan McHugh is not sure.

"Clinics are taxable so this one might be as well, but I don't have any information on it so I can't really offer a solid opinion," he said.

Monks also wasn't sure, but thinks that because Wheaton is a not-for-profit, chances are the Highway 31 office will be tax-exempt.


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