Daviess Community Hospital and Daviess Economic Development expand orthopedic and related services

WASHINGTON (Indiana) – Downtown Washington is now home to the new $5 million CORE Center, a 18,250 sq. ft. combined orthopedic, chiropractic and rehabilitation facility to serve patients and families in the greater Daviess County region. The new CORE Center (CORE is an acronym for chiropractic, orthopaedic, rehabilitation excellence) was formally opened in Washington by the Daviess Community Hospital with a ribbon-cutting on February 24.

The new facility is expected to double the patient capacity for regional orthopedic and chiropractic-related services and is modeled after the successful combined practice operations of IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, according to David Bixler, Chief Executive Officer of Daviess County Hospital.

Bixler noted the positive leadership role of Washington Mayor Joe Wellman and the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation in helping the hospital select, design, and build the new CORE Center. “We needed space to expand our orthopaedic, chiropractic, and rehabilitation services, and they came up with an innovative solution,” the hospital CEO said.

“As a physician and a Congressman I have been a long-time champion of sustaining access to healthcare for all Hoosiers, including patients in rural Indiana. I offer my congratulations and continued support to those who helped make this expansion happen,” said Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-8). “Quality healthcare – particularly in a rural setting – is absolutely vital to the well-being of our fellow citizens.”

The new facility, which includes a state-of-the-art rehabilitation pool and underwater treadmill and onsite x-ray imaging services, was developed on the site of old retail operations between Main Street and Van Trees Street in downtown Washington. The new facility is easily accessible from U.S. 57.

“This is a great use of available space that is in a central location for our residents of the city and county,” said Mayor Joe Wellman of Washington. “It is a superb addition and we expect it will help our downtown area continue to redefine itself and grow.”

No tax dollars were used in the development of the building itself and the City of Washington, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation and private donations jointly provided the funds for a new parking lot and the green space for a pocket park north of the CORE Center, according to Ron Arnold, executive director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC). A restaurant/café is also planned as part of the new complex.

A deteriorating building that formerly housed a local service club was demolished and cleared for the parking lot and park.

“Maintaining high-quality medical services to rural Indiana residents is critical, and I applaud CEO David Bixler and the board of Daviess Community Hospital for their expansion vision,” said Don Kelso, Executive Director of the Indiana Rural Health Association. “A round of thanks should also go to Washington Mayor Joe Wellman, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, the Daviess County Economic Development Foundation and others involved who helped bring this important vision to reality.”

Arnold said that the economic development corporation was pleased to be a part, “given the critical nature of quality healthcare and its role in economic development.” Arnold added: “High-performance healthcare delivery and economic development must be joined at the hip for Indiana to advance.”

Arnold added that he was “very pleased with the cooperation of all parties involved in the project,” stating that “Daviess County knows how to work together to get things done.”