Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Stimulus Funds Will Help Valley Healthcare Systems Expand

By Ben Wright
Friday, October 29, 2010

In an effort to improve health care services in south Columbus, U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop presented a $6.2 million check Thursday to Valley Healthcare Systems Inc.

Bishop said Valley Healthcare has provided services to residents in Columbus for more than two decades.

“Whether rich or poor, black or white, urban or rural, the Valley Healthcare staff has worked to improve the lives of those in this community, serving as the linchpin in the health care of the community,” Bishop said.

Using stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the check will help Valley Healthcare open a 29,860-square-foot facility on Benning Road. The project will allow Valley Healthcare to serve more patients and add a pharmacist.

Mayor Jim Wetherington praised Bishop for securing the funds for Valley Healthcare, the only non-federally qualified health center in Muscogee County.

“I commended the congressman for getting this grant to provide these services, especially for the citizens of south Columbus and this region,” the mayor said.

The additional funding will allow health centers nationwide to serve more people in need.

“With this funding increase, community health centers will be able to double the number of patients they serve to up to 40 million annually by 2015,” Bishop said.

The main building for Valley Healthcare was torn down in 2007, forcing the center to operate out of temporary and modular spaces.