SJC/Heartwood Medical Campus to open Monday in Richmond Hill
When Chris Corr, senior vice president of Real Estate Development of Rayonier and president of Raydient, began brainstorming what amenities would be crucial for the Heartwood at Richmond Hill community to thrive, health and wellness was at the top of his list.
Friday, his vision came to fruition.
St. Joseph’s/Candler held a grand opening ceremony for the first phase of the SJC/Heartwood Medical Campus in Richmond Hill to provide health and wellness services for its future residents. The $15.5 million facility is located on Belfast Keller Road and across from the Heartwood community.
The facility opens Monday for urgent care needs, while other services will open in the near future. The facility will be able to treat more than 20,000 patients a year in the 15,000-square-foot facility. No timetable has been given as to when phase two will take place.
“Paul and this leadership team has been one step ahead of us - meaning we could have one idea and they’d have a better one,” said Coor. “Think about all the people that are going to be served here - it’s exciting to think about.”
The facility is located across from Heartwood, a community that will double the size of Richmond Hill’s population in the next two decades, making the medical unit a vital aspect of the community.
More: Blessing anoints the new St. Joseph's/Candler Richmond Hill Campus, opening near Heartwood
More: Gas stations, hotels and restaurants: Here's what's coming to Heartwood at Richmond Hill
More: St. Joseph's/Candler partners with Raydient for 27-acre campus in Heartwood at Richmond Hill
“It’s a landmark day in the history of Richmond Hill,” said President & CEO of St. Joseph’s/Candler Paul Hinchey. “This area will not grow without healthcare. Healthcare is not viewed as an economic development but healthcare is just as important. It’s very emotional. You white board something and you go through hundreds of iterations of it and you’re wondering if it’s going to work. Monday it will be open and it will be here forever. We are here permanently.”The facility will have space for specialists, too.“Today as we celebrate yet another milestone, this facility represents a significant investment in the health and well-being of our residents,” said Richmond Hill Mayor Russ Carpenter. “This isn’t a sudden development. St Joe’s has a rich history, they have consistently demonstrated the ability to meet our communities’ growing needs. The opening of this campus aligns with our vision of Richmond Hill. Healthcare is foundational and this facility positions us to attract new residents and businesses.”
Father Joe Smith, former chaplain at St. Joe’s and a retired priest in the Diocese of Savannah, was on hand to bless the facility. He pointed to the significance of the newest St. Joseph’s/Candler facility, saying its proximity to the interstate and its neighbor in Heartwood will play a major role in making healthcare accessible to all.
“I am an advocate of services coming out in this direction,” said Smith. “Look at Heartwood in five to 10 years, this is going to continue to grow. We also have growth in the migrating population. Those people need healthcare. That’s part of the mission of the hospital. You are a human being before anything else. We don’t look at color, creed or sex. You are a person. The hospital embraces people of all circumstances.”
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: St. Joseph's/Candler to open new medical facility in Heartwood Monday.
