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Healthcare Centers Expanding In Saratoga County

Saratoga County, home to one of the fastest growing populations in New York, is also seeing an expansion of healthcare services.

According to the most recent U.S. Census, between the year 2000 and 2010, the Saratoga County population rose 9.5 percent, from 200,635 to 219,607, outpacing many of New York’s largest cities and population centers.

With that growth has also come an increased demand for healthcare services.

In late February, Saratoga Hospital cut the ribbon at its new Milton Health Center, located on Geyser Road in Ballston Spa.

Ellen Kernes, a spokeswoman for Saratoga Hospital, said the facility, which will offer primary care and physical therapy, is opening at a time when need for primary care physicians is seen across the country.

“I think a lot of people will tell you they can’t get into to family medicine, they can’t get a primary care physician because they’re all booked,” said Kernes. “So the need is there absolutely.”

In May of last year, in collaboration with Albany Medical Center, Saratoga Hospital also opened its Malta Med Emergent Care facility located off the Adirondack Northway’s Exit 12. In addition to emergency and urgent care, the center offers laboratory, x-ray, and ultrasound services.

While Saratoga Hospital also operates facilities in Wilton and Saratoga Springs, Kernes said the new Milton Center will bring care closer to home for many.

“The opportunity was there, and we worked hard to get physicians and services, and the building, and that’s why we are doing the Milton Health Center,” said Kernes.

Meanwhile, New York Oncology Hematology recently announced that construction will begin this spring on the $20 million Clifton Park Cancer Center. The 28,000-square foot facility will occupy a 4-acre parcel of land located off Sitterly Road.

Ed Graham, Regional Senior Vice President for US Oncology, said NYOH will move its Latham practice to the new Clifton Park facility, located near neighborhoods and homes.

“The majority of cancer care in the United States is provided in a community-based setting, which is consistent with what we have here,” said Graham. “So for New York Oncology this is a logical next step in its evolution to position itself so that we’re here for decades to come for what the cancer care needs are for our community, which includes the Southern Saratoga community, as well as those who are going to find that more accessible from the north or the south.”

Graham said the siting decision was based on a prediction of where the need for cancer care will continue.

“So its not that there is a change and a higher preponderance of cancer diagnosis in Southern Saratoga, versus Washington, versus Albany county. It is a function, though, of saying ‘where do we see where there’s going to continue to be the need?’’

After the groundbreaking this spring, construction on the Clifton Park Cancer Center is expected to take about a year to complete.

Last year, further south, Albany Medical Center also opened its $360 million Patient Pavilion expansion.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
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