Parkview planning two health facilities in Marion

Residents of Grant and surrounding counties will soon have more convenient access to high-quality healthcare services. Parkview Health, in keeping with its longstanding priority of protecting and expanding rural access to care, is developing two new health facilities in the Marion area.

The first, a multi-specialty clinic in southwest Marion, will open this summer at 2620 S. Western Avenue. The clinic will initially occupy a portion of the 14,820-square-foot building and will offer an array of specialty services, housing Parkview Physicians Group (PPG) providers in OB/GYN, general surgery and orthopedics. Phase II of this project is planned for completion at the end of this year and will house providers for adult and pediatric primary care.

The second facility, a freestanding emergency department and urgent care, will transform a vacant and highly visible property at I-69 Exit 264 into a state-of-the-art healthcare anchor with plans for future expansion. Construction on Phase 1 of that facility should begin toward the end of this year, with an opening being anticipated for mid-2027.

“We are truly excited to give area residents the great news about Parkview’s plans to invest robustly in their health and in the Marion community,” said Deb Potempa, market president, Parkview Health South. “We hear from Grant County residents that they want to access Parkview services closer to home, so it’s thrilling for us to be launching two new facilities offering patients more high-quality care options.”

Potempa said the clinic will reflect Parkview’s commitment to controlling healthcare costs by recycling existing buildings, when possible, instead of building an entirely new facility from the ground-up. The multi-specialty clinic will occupy renovated space in a former Walgreens store.

The freestanding ER/urgent care – which will be named Parkview Marion – will redevelop an existing property that has been vacant for more than four years.

In addition, Parkview Marion will use a model of care that helps contain costs for patients while eliminating the guesswork in deciding what level of medical intervention is needed when a person seeks walk-in care. When patients arrive at the facility, they will be evaluated by providers; if their condition can be treated appropriately via urgent care, they will be billed for that level of care, which is generally lower cost than emergency care. The health system introduced this innovative, cost-effective care model with the 2023 opening of Parkview Southwest – the region’s first ER/urgent care – and it has been well-received by patients.

Dr. Thomas Gutwein, physician executive, Emergency Department and Pre-hospital Service Line, Parkview Health, offered an example to illustrate the ER/urgent care model: “Let’s say you hurt your shoulder playing football in the backyard, but you’re not certain if it’s bad enough that you should go to the ER. We could X-ray the shoulder, see that it’s not broken and determine that you just need a sling, which would be an urgent care visit. Or, your shoulder might be dislocated, and you need sedation to have it put back in place – that would be an emergency room visit. We can provide whichever level of care is needed, and you will be billed according to that level of care.”

City of Marion Mayor Ronald Morrell, Jr., enthusiastically welcomed Parkview to the area at his State of the City address today.

“For over three decades, the I-69 and State Road 18 corridor has stood as a symbol of untapped potential in Marion,” he said. “Today, with Parkview Health’s significant investment, we’re not just building a medical facility – we’re laying the foundation for a healthier, more prosperous future. This development is a testament to our city’s resilience and a beacon of growth that will benefit generations to come.”

To determine an optimal site for the freestanding ER/urgent care, Parkview partnered with Innovcare, a healthcare-focused real estate firm based in Indiana. The company identified the site as a rare opportunity not only to introduce a trusted provider like Parkview Health to the Marion market, but also to reimagine the city’s eastern entrance.

“We’re thrilled to see this project come to fruition but most excited for the city and residents of Marion,” said Tyson Chastain, president/principal, Innovcare. “Parkview continues to do its part in ensuring healthcare access for all Hoosiers.”

Parkview Marion is expected to encompass 25,200 square feet initially, with potential to add on as needed for future services. The one-story building will include the ER and urgent care areas, imaging and lab departments to support them, and space for specialty clinics.

Parkview is partnering with Innovcare and Design Collaborative to finalize details of the master planning and new facility development.

The multi-specialty clinic is expected to open this summer. A public open house is being planned, and the date will be announced prior to the opening.