February 05, 2003

City Of Bettendorf Approves Genesis Expansion

Genesis At Crow Valley Begins To Take Shape

Davenport, IA - The City of Bettendorf has approved the first phase of construction for the new Genesis at Crow Valley Campus. The campus, which will house a variety of health care services, will be located on 16 acres of land in the northwest corner of 18th Street and 53rd Avenue in Bettendorf.

Phase I of this new health care campus centers on the construction of a 13,800-square-foot facility. Construction, which is expected to begin in March, includes 5,800 square feet of office space for Gastroenterology Associates, P.C. and 8,000 square feet for an Outpatient Endoscopy procedure facility.

"We approached Genesis Medical Center to partner on a development in Bettendorf. Our practice has been experiencing rapid growth and we want to expand access for our patients in the region," said David Pratt, M.D., of Gastroenterology Associates. Currently, Gastroenterology Associates, P.C. has an office located at 1351 W. Central Park, Pavilion 2, Suite 2300 on the Genesis West campus. Once the new facility is complete, some members of the group will remain at the West campus office and others will relocate to the Bettendorf location. This will provide a convenient option for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois residents.

According to Leo Bressanelli, President and CEO of Genesis Medical Center, "From 1998 to 2003, Endoscopy procedures at Genesis have experienced a 64% growth in volume and we expect that growth to continue." Part of that growth is due to Medicare Part B's coverage for screening colonoscopy for beneficiaries at average risk of developing colorectal cancer every 10 years. High-risk individuals are eligible for a screening every two years. Medicare began covering this procedure in July of 2001, and many insurance carriers are also extending a similar benefit at age 50.

Gastroenterology Associates, P.C. is comprised of the following physicians: Robert Benson, M.D.; William Davidson, III, M.D.; Young Huh, M.D.; Erling Larson, III, M.D.; David Pratt, M.D.; and Richard Weyman, IV, M.D. Each member of the group is Board Certified in Gastroenterology, specializing in diseases of the digestive system including: heartburn, acid reflux, colo-rectal cancer and others. "We are pleased to be working with Genesis Medical Center to build this state-of-the-art facility, where we can continue to provide excellent patient care and improve access to our services," adds Pratt.

The Gastroenterology Associates office and Endoscopy Center will sit on approximately two acres of the property on 53rd. Genesis Medical Center is currently exploring several options to better serve the health care needs of the community.  Possible options include more outpatient services, women's health services and physician offices.

Currently, Genesis Health System (GHS), through its affiliates and divisions owns an additional 43 acres in Bettendorf. Genesis FirstMed Clinic sits on 27 acres on Devils Glen. The Genesis Pain Management Center, Outpatient Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Center, and three Genesis Health Group (GHG) physicians are located on 16 acres at the Genesis Plaza on Maplecrest. Other Genesis facilities in northeastern Scott County include the GHG corporate and physician offices, Psychology Associates and the GHS Information Technology department.

Genesis is also working on a joint project with the Scott County Family YMCA that will bring a new Y facility, a 12,000-square-foot Phase III cardiac rehabilitation program and a health and wellness center to the Devils Glen site.

Genesis through its predecessors, St. Luke's and Mercy Hospitals, has been taking care of the community's health care needs for more than 130 years. It is the increase in these needs and the Health System's commitment to providing compassionate, quality health care to all those in need that has resulted in the development of the Genesis At Crow Valley Campus.

For more information about the health care services offered by Genesis Health System, click here or call Genesis On Call at 421-2000 or 800-383-2575.