Ground broken Thursday for new Geneva med center

A reaffirmation of its commitment to the residents of southern Adams County was made Thursday morning by officials of the Adams Health Network as they officially broke ground for the construction of the Adams Medical Group-Geneva Medical Office Center near the intersection of US 27 and CR 950 S.

Approximately 100 people attended the ceremony at which AHN chief executive officer Dr. Scott Smith said was “a celebration of health for Adams County.” Noting the start of the NCAA basketball tournament next week, Smith said that health care is much like basketball “because it’s a team effort. We are very blessed to have the staff we do and have people who want to work here. We want to be here for you when the community needs us.”

Pastor Roy Nevil, who gave the invocation prior to the groundbreaking, related he couldn’t remember the number of times he’d visited someone at home or in a hospital room and held their hand while praying for their recovery.

“So many times, these people would tell me ‘it’s just so far to get to the doctor’ and that was a big problem for them. Now, we’re going to have a place this close to us. What a great impact it is going to have on our community.”

The Adams Legion Post 43 Color Guard was present to start the ceremony on the sunny but wind-chilled day The medical center will house the office of Dr. Amber Lautzenheiser, who was recruited to Adams County six years ago, and nurse practitioner Monalise Rodgers. In addition, the unit will include facilities for lab, x-ray, and therapy services.

The crowd heard Smith thank many groups that were instrumental in the plans to erect such a structure. He mentioned the hospital trustees, county government officials, the Geneva Chamber of Commerce and community, and Geneva city officials for their strong support and then trustee president Russ Flueckiger, who has been an insurance agent in Geneva since 1975 noted “the commitment of the hospital here today will provide medical services as long as I’ll ever need them and much longer.” He also thanked many groups but especially praised the efforts of community activist Mary Fields who help spearhead a petition drive for the medical center and the Briggs Family of Geneva for their generous donation of the land on which the building will be constructed.

Smith said it is anticipated the new medical center will be open by the end of 2023.

(Photo by Joe Spaulding) GROUNDBREAKING–Four members of the Adams Health Network Board of Trustees joined hospital CEO Dr. Scott Smith for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the new Adams Medical Group-Geneva office Thursday morning. Pictured from left to right are Larry D. Macklin, Candice Bauman, Dr. Smith, Russ Flueckiger, and Dave McIntire.

(Photo by Joe Spaulding A computer image of what the new Adams Medical Group-Geneva will look like when it’s finished later this year was on display at the groundbreaking ceremonies held Thursday morning. The building will be located near the intersection of US 27 and CR 950 and will offer numerous services to southern Adams County residents and the area.