BERMUDA RUN – With a nod to the past, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center officials last week took a big step toward the future of healthcare for Davie residents.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Davie Medical Center – Bermuda Run Campus, for a three-story, 78,220 square foot $47 million building that will house 50 in-patient beds.

Dr. John D. McConnell, chief executive officer of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, said when the idea was first presented for the hospital, there were many skeptics.

“It helps to have a dang good idea,” he said, “to meet the healthcare needs of Davie County with a nationally-recognized academic medical center.”

Although a full-service hospital, he said it will cater to the aging population (From 1990 to 2030, the anticipated increase in residents over the age of 60 is 271%.).

Chad Brown, Davie Medical Center president, said the hospital will include an ACE unit designed for the acute-care needs of those over age 60, as well as expanded orthopaedic and knee and hip replacement services.

The Wake Forest Baptist main campus in Winston-Salem includes the J. Paul Sticht Center aging center. The Davie unit will alleviate overcrowding there, as well as provide direct links to leading-edge geriatric care and research, he said.

“According to a study conducted by the Piedmont Triad Regional Council’s Area Agency on Aging, the 60 year old and older demographic will make up the fastest growing segment of the county’s projected population of 43,400 by 2030,” Brown said. “This inpatient facility with programs like the ACE unit will provide patient and family centered care and treatment to serve all ages – but especially the care needs of this growing population.”

Steve Robertson, former chair of the Baptist board and a member of the Davie hospital board, has been instrumental in keeping healthcare services in Davie County.

“We want healthcare to remain in Davie County … a hospital that can serve our community with excellence,” Robertson said. “This is a great day in Davie County … and to have a nationally-recognized academic medical center … is a major accomplishment for the people of Davie County.”

Dr. Kevin High, chair of the Davie board, said the new hospital will include an interactive history wall telling the story of healthcare in Davie County.

In additional to the 50 general medical-surgical beds, the addition will also have a cafeteria, an inpatient pharmacy and a chapel, as well as offices for physicians.

This is the second of three phases on the Bermuda Run campus. The third is development of outparcels at the site off NC 801 at I-40.

The Mocksville campus will close when this hospital opens in 2017.

The first phase, which opened in August of 2013, includes specialty clinics, cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy, a pharmacy and emergency center.

“We made a promise to the citizens of Davie County in 2008 that any approved project for  a medical center in the county would include an in-patient hospital, and today, we are putting that promise into action,” McConnell said. “This facility will offer people in Davie County the care and treatment close to home that they deserve.”