ETMC breaks ground on Lake Palestine expansion project

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East Texas Medical Center has started construction on a $9 million facility near Lake Palestine to provide state-of-the-art fitness and outpatient rehabilitation services, as well as a new and expanded physician clinic.

The ETMC Regional Healthcare System purchased the land, located at FM 344 and Highway 155 in Flint, several years ago to prepare for growth in southern Smith County, according to CEO/President Elmer G. Ellis. “The communities in the Lake Palestine area have really exploded in growth over the past several years, and this expansion will help us better serve the needs of East Texans and bring healthcare closer to home,” Ellis said.

The 25,000 square foot healthcare facility features a striking contemporary design with a wall of glass extending three stories high. (See attached renderings.)

Services included
ETMC Lake Palestine will include a physician clinic with extended-hour urgent care. ETMC First Physician Dr. Gary Babbitt, Dr. C. Renee Bean and other physicians will practice at the new clinic. Dr. Babbitt has been serving area residents since 1991. Dr. Babbitt and Dr. Bean currently offer services in a temporary

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building on the site of the new facility.

ETMC also plans to offer imaging services, such as a CT scan, digital mammography,
X-ray and diagnostic testing. Other services will include physical therapy, cardiac rehab and possibly a sleep lab. The building is also expandable for future growth needs.

“ETMC Lake Palestine will not only help people when they are sick but also encourage a healthy lifestyle with the addition of our Olympic Center,” Ellis said. The two-story fitness facility will include a swimming pool for both free-style activities and rehabilitation, as well as modern exercise equipment, aerobics and other group exercise classes and a suspended indoor walking track that overlooks the fitness floor.

Fitness staff
The ETMC Olympic Center will also feature degreed/certified fitness staff, fitness assessments and exercise prescriptions. The cardio equipment has I-pod capability with individual TV monitors on the equipment. ETMC will also offer cardiac rehab with specialized classes and instructors as well as physical therapy and other types of rehab.

The construction should be completed in late 2009. ETMC will offer more information on memberships to this Olympic Center in the coming months.