Paric Tops Out Patients First

St. Louis-based Paric Corp. has reached a major construction milestone on expansion of Patients First Health Care in Washington.  Paric recently placed the final beam, topping out the steel structure.

Dr. Michael Rau, Patients First Chairman and Project Manager for the expansion, was the last to sign the final beam.  Employees and physicians from Patients First, construction workers, and Paric project managers participated in the topping out ceremony.

“This is an exciting time for all of us who deliver care to our patients,” said Dr. Rau.  “This $30.4 million expansion is the biggest commitment that Patients First Health Care has made to the Washington community.  We look forward to providing more technically advanced outpatient services conveniently in one location for our patients.”

The $30.4 million expansion is on schedule to add 109,000 square feet in two, three-story wings to the current 85,000-square-foot health center. It is expected to complete by the end of next summer.   Joe Gubbels, Patients First CEO, credits “good weather, outstanding construction crews and project management skills of Paric Corporation”  with keeping the project on schedule:

“Our construction team has done an outstanding job keeping on schedule,” said Gubbels.  “As the structure takes shape, the anticipation grows.” 

Gubbels is pleased that the project will bring more outpatient options, including cancer services and ambulatory surgical treatment to the community.  The new facilities and services will make it possible to add new physicians to serve the area.

“This project will also bring new physicians, which will enhance the medical care that patients can receive right in east central Missouri,” said Gubbels.  “As an added bonus, as these new physicians and their families settle here, they will help to grow each of our communities.” 

In addition to completing the steel, Paric has relocated an open storm water creek and added a surface parking lot.  Workers are starting to place the exterior wall components, which will allow the closing of the building within the next few months. Grading, utility relocation and foundations have been completed on the three-story parking structure which will provide parking for approximately 675 cars.  This multi-level parking structure, with pre-cast concrete and brick inlay, will be the first of its kind in Washington, Mo. 

This project has added to the original Patients First Health Care structure on both ends.  When completed, the Patients First Washington Campus additions will include an ambulatory surgery center; a cancer treatment center that will provide medical oncology, radiation oncology and infusion therapy; additional physician offices; expanded retail space and meeting rooms.  The new addition is expected to increase employment by more than 100 people.

Paric manages the entire construction process for Patients First, working closely with Northstar Management, representative for Patients First.  Lawrence Group provided the design and Bank of Washington is providing construction financing. 

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