By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

BERMUDA RUN – Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is ready to build here.
Expect to see dirt move soon for the first phase of what is being called Wake Forest Baptist Health – West Campus just off NC 801 at I-40.
By summer of 2013, a four-story, 60,000-square-foot medical office building should be open. Some six months later, a 101,000-square-foot outpatient center, including an emergency room, outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging will be open.
Dr. John McConnell, chief executive officer of  the medical center, told a group of local leaders Monday morning the move to Davie County is a trend of taking value-based health care to the people – while retaining a close relationship with the major medical center in Winston-Salem.
“It’s more than a community hospital,” he said. “It’s a different kind of healthcare delivery system. We expect people from other counties to use this facility.”
Monday’s announcement included the addition of a fourth floor to the office building. “The larger size is a reflection of the interest by a broad range of physicians in having full time offices in a convenient location for patients.”
Donny Lambeth, chair of the Davie County Hospital board, thanked the “hundreds of people” who helped bring the project to Bermuda Run.
Terry Bralley, chair of the Davie Economic Development Commission, said Baptist’s investment is the largest in Davie’s history – $80 million in the first phase.
The best part, Bralley said, is that it’s happening without spending taxpayer money. Before Davie partnered with Baptist, it was losing approximately $500,000 a year at the county-owned hospital in Mocksville. When the new hospital opens beds in 2017, Davie County Hospital in Mocksville will close.
Bralley thanked Davie residents for being patient.
“What a great opportunity for us to partner with one of the best accredited medical schools in the world,” Bralley said. “Our citizens are being rewarded for their unwavering support and patience. Today’s announcement is a major step toward securing high quality health care for our citizens. The plans for a larger medical office building are a statement of the confidence in and commitment to every citizen of this county.
“This project will be a catalyst for future residential and commercial development, bring highly-skilled jobs and professionals to our community.”
The 88-acre tract will also include commercial development, and interest has been high for businesses wanting to locate there …