July 29, 2003

Building For A Healthier Community

Edgerton Women's Health Center Celebrates Grand Opening

Davenport, IA - Genesis Health System and the Edgerton Women's Health Center (formerly known as the Maternal Health Center) celebrated the grand opening of its new facility located on Genesis Medical Center's East campus today.

Founder, W. Dow Edgerton, MD, Leo Bressanelli, President and CEO of Genesis Health System, Tom Fedje, Executive Director of Edgerton Women's Health Center and Anne Rapp, R.N., the center's Board Chair commemorated the day by casting their hand prints in the cement sidewalk outside the new building with Justin and Lauren Roemer, age 5, the children involved in the ceremonial ground breaking in May of last year.

"I'm greatly honored by the change in name," said Dr. Edgerton. "My sincere appreciation goes out to the staff, physicians, Tom Fedje, our board of directors, Genesis Health System and Leo Bressanelli."

The new facility is 13,400 square feet and has 25 percent more space than the former center in Duck Creek Mall. The new building features larger, state-of-the-art exam rooms and equipment and is in close proximity to the hospital for patients needing Radiology and Lab tests or who deliver their babies at Genesis' BirthCenter. The program provides affordable family preparation, gynecological, prenatal and nutritional services to women, infants and children (WIC) in Scott County. The building, which fits the overall look and feel of the surrounding neighborhood, will be leased by the Edgerton Women's Health Center and replaces the Duck Creek location.

The Edgerton Women's Health Center and Genesis have enjoyed a long-standing close working relationship. The former Maternal Health Center was founded as an independent program by Dr. Edgerton., who also served as medical director for 28 years. The founding marked the first time public family planning services were offered in the Davenport area. The center was located in French Hall on the former St. Luke's Hospital, now Genesis Medical Center's East campus. Since inception in 1972, almost 12,000 children have been born into the Quad-City community. The center has also been recognized by the state of Iowa for achieving a 91% immunization rate in Scott County.

"The center has been a critical health care provider for the underprivileged women and infants in our community," said Leo Bressanelli, President and CEO, Genesis Health System. "Once inside the center's doors, women are greeted by a caring staff and treated with dignity and respect. The Edgerton Women's Health Center exemplifies the Genesis ideal of compassionate care to all those in need. Its presence on our campus will enhance our ability to touch the lives of women and children who truly are in need."

Tom Fedje, executive director of Edgerton Women's Health Center, commented, "I believe this project will serve to further the charitable mission of both organizations, as well as improve the availability and accessibility of maternal health care services in the community. Moreover, the project is expected to enhance the continuum of care of those individuals who are patients of both the center and Genesis."

Edgerton Women's Health Center is now located at 1510 E. Rusholme Street, Davenport. The center is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am - 7 pm and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am - 5 pm. For more information or to make an appointment call, 563-344-1371 or visit the center's Web site, www.qcwomenshealth.org.