Mike Wolanin | The Republic Medical assistant Cori Brod puts medical supplies away in OB/GYN Associates of Columbus’s new space inside Columbus Regional Health’s new medical offices at NexusPark in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.
Columbus Regional Health is set to open its first NexusPark practice today..
OB/GYN Associates will open to patients at its new location today, said CRH spokeswoman Kelsey DeClue. The practice, which has been located at 3183 N. National Road for many years, will now be at 2114 25th St. in CRH’s portion of NexusPark.
“It’s phenomenal,” said Dr. Brenden Barker. “I mean, when you compare the dichotomy of where we came from, and then you see a space like this that’s modernized, up to date, bright open. It’s really, it’s second to none.”
NexusPark is a joint effort between the city of Columbus and CRH to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center. In addition to CRH facilities, the campus is also expected to include parks department and community spaces, restaurant and retail areas, and a fieldhouse.
Outdoor community park and gathering spaces are planned, and Dunham’s is expected to remain on-site under its current lease.
“It’s just kind of fascinating to see it all, months and months of planning and looking at renderings and then it kind of comes to life before your eyes, so it’s pretty amazing,” said DeClue. “Definitely a monumental day for our organization.”
According to hospital officials, this office’s opening marks the first phase of the relocation process for practices and services moving into CRH’s space at NexusPark.
“By the end of April, everybody should be in place,” said DeClue.
There is still some work left to be done at the OB/GYN Associates space, but it is largely finished, she said. Remaining touches include cosmetic changes and signage. Additionally, the practice’s waiting space will become part of a larger promenade that extends across CRH’s space and serves as a pass-through.
Degaulle Haile, MD said that he appreciates that their office will be right next to Columbus Pediatrics, allowing the two practices to work together more easily when necessary.
He added that the new site is a “straight shot over” to the hospital, which will be helpful in an emergency.
“As somebody who delivers babies in the middle of the night, I certainly appreciate that,” he said.
He also described the space as “less claustrophobic” than their old offices, with larger rooms, doorways and ceilings.
“You couldn’t even walk two people down the hall in our old space,” said nurse practitioner Alison Ortman.
Additionally, every patient care room is accessible to individuals with special needs, Haile said.
“We were kind of functioning to do the best we can to survive in our old space, but I think this kind of frees us to be more creative, more innovative, more progressive, more inclusive,” he said. “And I know it’s just a physical space, but it really changes kind of how your brain works and how you interact with others. … If you have the space for community, maybe you can promote a sense of community as well.”
“I’ve always been really proud of the work that we do at OB/GYN Associates, the kind of quality of care that we provide to our patients,” Patterson said. “…This office reflects that quality of care.”
The practice was located at 3183 N. National Road for more than 40 years.
The Republic reported in July of 1979 that a building permit had been issued for the property, and the practice later announced that it would relocate there in October of that same year.
As OB/GYN now moves to NexusPark, another medical practice plans to move into their old location. Mandy Wyant, owner of Family Chiropractic and Wellness at 1405 Washington St., has purchased the National Road property and will relocate her practice there following renovations.
Wyant cannot say when her business will open at its new location, as she is still negotiating with CRH as to when their lease will end. Still, she estimates it is likely that they will not move in until spring or early summer of 2024.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I think a lot of people are nervous about all these practices moving to Nexus and the abandoned buildings that’s going to leave in the community. But for a small business owner like myself that’s been looking for a property for five years but unwilling to put myself on the periphery of town, I’m super excited that there’s some of these spaces coming available. And it opens up opportunities, and then hopefully my building will open up an opportunity for someone as well.”
What’s next
According to CRH, practices and services NexusPark are targeted to open on the following dates:
Jan. 29, 2024: BCSC Clinic; Healthy Communities; Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy; and WellConnect
Feb. 12, 2024: Doctors Park Family Medicine, Rau Family Medicine and VIMCare Clinic
Feb. 26, 2024: Lab Services and Sandcrest Family Medicine
March 25, 2024: Audiology and Family & Internal Medicine
April 8, 2024: Neurology and Sleep Sciences
April 22, 2024: Columbus Pediatrics
More information is available at crh.org.
