Summit surgery center making progress

Summit Medical Center's plan to establish an outpatient surgery center near the Hartmann Drive Interchange continues to move forward, as the hospital has submitted an application for a certificate of need to state health officials.
Sharon Blandford, Summit Medical Center director of marketing, said Thursday the application has been accepted for review by the Tennessee Health Services and Development Agency and added Summit will present a proposal for the facility to the agency at its upcoming March 23 meeting.
"We believe this new center will offer the communities we serve another choice and better access to quality health care," Blandford said.
Also referred to as a "multi-specialty ambulatory surgical treatment center," the outpatient facility is slated for development at 912 South Hartmann Drive just off Interstate 40.
If a certificate of need is granted by the state health services and development agency, the Summit outpatient center would become the second medical development planned for the areas surrounding the Hartmann Drive Interchange.
Last year, Lebanon physician Dr. Stephen Neely announced plans for a multi-story MRI facility to be built next door to the Outback Steakhouse property off Franklin Road.
Staff Writer Brian Harville can be reached at 444-3952 ext. 16 or by e-mail at brian.harville@lebanondemocrat.com.