Center set to perform surgeries by mid-January

Another option for patients needing minor surgery will soon be available to local residents.

More than 30 people attended a ribbon cutting of the New River Surgical Arts facility Thursday morning in freezing temperatures.

Following the ribbon cutting, visitors and dignitaries toured the surgical center that will be in full operation by the second week of January.

Patients are being seen at the center now, but surgeries cannot be performed until Jan. 9.

Before any surgeries can be performed at the facility, the state will inspect it before certification in the first week of January.

Thomas McCormick, one of the doctors who will work out of the new building, said the center has been in the works for four to five years. He said patients in Fallon will now have the option of going to Banner Churchill Community Hospital or the surgical center.

McCormick, who grew up in Fallon, said there was an obvious need for the state-of-the-art facility.

He said the surgical center will work hand-in-hand with the hospital and maintain a good relationship.

"It will be streamlined care," he said, adding the facility will treat patients with hernias and breast cancer. The New River Surgical Arts building will also be able to operate for colon cancer.

Michael Murray, another local surgeon who will work out of the building, said all of the equipment is top notch and digital. The surgical center is between 3,500 and 4,000 square-feet.

"It has the best technology that is out there," he said.

He said the biggest advantage the center provides for patients is the cost in comparison to what the hospital charges to cover overhead expenses.

"The surgery center can do things for a cheaper cost," he said. "Anything you can do to save money is a big plus."

Murray said surgical centers of this type are not uncommon in smaller communities because the demand is so high.

"This is not unheard of. It is the way health centers are opening," Murray said. "The technology is out there."

He added a lot of the surgeries performed at the new facility will be done on an outpatient basis.

Initially, the center will be open Wednesday through Friday.

"We will add Monday and Tuesday as we amp up," Murray said.

Charlie Myers, chief executive officer of Banner Churchill Community Hospital, said the ability provide outpatient care is valuable to the community.

"This (facility) will give us a second option," Myers said, adding the costs will be less than what the hospital charges.

He said the New River Surgical Arts building will give the community opportunities to attract other surgeons.

"Having this helps our services," he sad. "It will work out very well for us."

Rick Dentino, executive director of the Fallon Chamber of Commerce, who took part in the ribbon cutting, said the facility will offer residents the chance to have surgeries in the community rather than traveling to Reno or Carson City.

"It's an advantage to us because we need an alternative," he said.