Newly renovated SIU Medicine facility opens in Decatur

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - SIU Medicine is expanding its footprint in Decatur with the opening of its newly renovated Physicians Plaza West facility. Community leaders and healthcare officials gathered Tuesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new multi-specialty medical office building.

"This new building expands access to specialties including dermatology, endocrinology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, infectious disease, otolaryngology, pediatrics and their specialties, OB GYN with sonography and maternal fetal medicine, as well as the surgical specialties of urology, plastic surgery and vascular surgery," said SIU Medicine Executive Director Michelle Lynn.

The services provided in the building fill gaps in care and increase access to medical care in Macon County. Quality medical care is something that not only improves health, but also the desire for people to stay in the area.

"One of the things people really want is a doctor close to home," said Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe. "It's just convenient being able to go to the doctor's office in your community and it helps bring people to Decatur from the outlying counties."

The space is a dream come true for SIU Medicine Medical Director Dr. Robert Blackwell. The Decatur native wanted to see access to care improve significantly in the city he calls home.

"What we're doing here today, opening up these newly renovated offices, it's going to allow SIU Medicine to provide exceptional and accessible specialty medical care here in our community in one central location," said Blackwell. "I like patients having access to care close to home."

The doctor believes he will have more patients pursue preventative care since it will be easier to see a medical professional.