By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Gardendale business owners learned more this week about an ambulatory surgical center set to open in January.

Dr. Nolan Hudson of the Gardendale Medical Clinic and Mike Rickman of development group Practice Partners spoke to members of the Gardendale Chamber of Commerce Thursday.

The facility will feature two operating rooms and one procedure room and will focus on same-day surgeries like colonoscopies, biopsies and other minor surgeries that do not require hospitalization.

However, Rickman said the surgical center may also open the door to a full-scale hospital in north Jefferson County.

“This kind of facility is a catalyst to make more things happen,” he said. “All you need is OBGYN and an emergency room and a hospital is bound to happen.”

Hudson said the surgical center will be an asset to north Jefferson County and has so far been embraced by residents and officials throughout the county.

“We received our CON (Certificate of Need) a little over two years ago and we found out it is the only uncontested surgery center ever built in the county,” he said. “There’s usually a lot of squabbling, but I think the need was recognized.”

Hudson also thanked city leaders who rezoned and then sold the land for the facility, located behind the Gardendale Medical Clinic. Workers have been grading the property for about 60 days.

Rickman said Practice Partners will actively recruit the area’s best surgical physicians and nurses for the facility and will also allow the physicians to buy into the project. He said the facility also aims to take the inconvenience out of having a procedure done in a hospital.

“In a hospital, you’re at the mercy of the doctor’s schedule. Here, if you’re to be seen at eight, we’ll see you at eight,” he said. “Our goal is to grab the top surgeons and allow you to have surgery right here in your hometown.”

Gardendale Mayor Phillips said the center will be a “wonderful asset” to the community and will bring new jobs and revenue to the city.

“This center will treat people from Gardendale and outside areas, so we should see some benefit,” he said.