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By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM --- After "pedal to the metal" construction, the Day Kimball Healthcare's Putnam Healthcare Center opened Monday.
Construction of the center on South Main Street, in the former Brooks Pharmacy building, began in July and included a complete "down to the studs" renovation inside and outside in the parking lot, too.
According to Sara Brandon, Day Kimball VP of marketing and communications, the building is 11,000 square feet filled with both physical medicine and blood draw labs and it is also the new home of Franklin Home Health. There are two entrances, one for the center and one for Franklin Home Health.
Brandon said there are 19 employees working there, including three additions to the staff. She added Day Kimball Healthcare expects to serve more than 180 patients there.
The Physical Medicine Department needed more space and opening the separate Putnam Healthcare Center also frees up space near the DKH Emergency Department which is set to be renovated and expanded. The Emergency Department was built to handle 18,000 and now receives more than 30,000 visits a year.
Dan Marcotte, Day Kimball director of Physical Medicine, Integrative Medicine and EEG/EMG, said the center accommodates several types of therapy including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. He said the department is moving all of its equipment to the new space and has purchased additional equipment.
The blood draw hours at the new building are from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to Joe Phillips, Day Kimball director of Diagnostic Services. Patients are encouraged to go to the new facility. The exception would be patients needing "stat" lab work -- they would still go to the full lab at Day Kimball Hospital.
Renee Turski, office manager of Franklin Home Health, said the store offers a full line of equipment including lift chairs, stockings, orthotics, diabetic supplies and shoes, rehabilitation products and exercise and speciality items. Free delivery is offered for larger products.
The construction was done by Engineered Construction International, Inc. of Plainfield. The $1.4 million project was done on time and on budget.