It was a BIG day in Garner on Friday as WakeMed broke ground on its newest facility, the WakeMed Garner Healthplex, a 12-bed emergency department and facility for lab and imaging services as well as WakeMed’s hub for its helicopter transport. Fonville Morisey Vandora’s Leah Isadore was at the invitation-only event and shares the story below. Thank you, Leah!
There was a bustle of excitement complete with ambulances and rescue vehicles lined up, a WakeMed Transport Helicopter circling above, business leaders, members of the Garner Chamber of Commerce, WakeMed Doctors and transport nurses, Garner Police and of course, our local politicians, all in attendance at the new location of the WakeMed Garner Healthplex on Friday.
I had the privilege to have lunch with Buck Kennedy who sits on our Board of Alderman, and spoke with Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams, Neal Padgett, President of the Garner Chamber of Commerce, Hardin Watkins, Garner Town Manager, and John Hodges, Executive Director of Garner Revitalization Association. Tony Beasley, the Town’s Economic Development Director was bustling about making sure everything was staying on schedule and ready for the official groundbreaking ceremony.
One of the more interesting conversations I had was with Dr. Bradley Evans, MD. He opened his family practice here in Garner four weeks ago on Timber Drive. Business for him has surpassed projections six-fold so far! Dr. Evans is very happy to be a part of the community.
William K. Atkinson, WakeMed President & CEO spoke very eloquently on increasing access to care in this area and how the doors to the emergency room will be open to all who have a need. He said that WakeMed has added both the Apex and Brier Creek Healthplexes with great results. He also made a point of saying that the most important thing about building the Garner Healthplex is the care that will be given inside by the dedicated staff. He went on to compliment the Garner Chamber of Commerce saying that it was their persistence that helped to move Garner up the pipeline. WakeMed was pleased with the welcoming received by Garner.
As a REALTOR® in Garner, an addition of a medical facility such as the this is a wonderful attribute to the area. Schools and medical care are significant pieces of any community and can be a factor in deciding where to live.
As Mayor Ronnie Williams said, it was a -
“Red Letter day in Garner.”
It really was a day of smiles for Garner and WakeMed, alike.
To see more pictures from the groundbreaking, click on over the Fonville Morisey Vandora Facebook Page.
All images courtesy of Leah Isadore. Middle image (l-r): Neal Padgett, President of the Garner Chamber of Commerce, Leah, and Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams.
