Strong West Surgical Center OK’d by State

UR Medicine’s Strong Memorial Hospital received approval Feb. 13 from the state Department of Health (DOH) to proceed with plans for an ambulatory surgical center at its Strong West location, 156 West Ave., Brockport.

The DOH Public Health and Health Planning Council gave its OK this morning. A final review by the state's Bureau of Architecture and Engineering will take place over the next few weeks. Construction should begin in April on the ambulatory surgical center (ASC) project, which includes upgrades to three operating rooms and renovations to an adjacent pre- and post-op patient care area. Same-day procedures performed will include surgical and GI procedures. The ASC is expected to be open in the third quarter of the year.

“We are grateful to the state for allowing us to move forward with the ambulatory surgical center,” said Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of UR Medicine. “Our goal is to revive specialized health care services in the Brockport community and this is another positive step in bringing some surgical options closer to home for area residents.”

The University of Rochester Medical Center continues to work with the DOH to gain approval for a full-service, freestanding Emergency Department (ED), a new health care model being considered by institutions across New York that has prompted the state to develop specialized requirements. Updated design drawings and other details requested by the state were submitted this week. No timeframe has been set for approval of an ED at Strong West, although a decision by the DOH could come this spring.

URMC purchased the former Lakeside Memorial Hospital and other assets last year after Lakeside closed its doors. Strong West consists of urgent care centers in Brockport and Spencerport; Orthopaedic, Cardiology, Neurology, Urology, Oncology and Primary Care practices; as well as lab and Imaging services that support Brockport-area physicians.