SANTA ROSA -- Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation announced the formal opening of its North Bay Health Plaza in northwest Santa Rosa, where the physician foundation affiliated with Sutter Health will operate the Advanced Imaging Center along with a host of new services and physicians.
The planned opening is set for Jan. 22.
In April of last year, the medical foundation consolidated a significant portion of its Sonoma County services into 19,000 square feet at 3883 Airway Dr., investing some $13 million into the space and other consolidation efforts as part of a wider strategy of focusing on outpatient services.
Prior to that, the foundation occupied 46,000 square feet of the 100,125-square-foot building that was purchased recently by a commercial property investor.
Formally known as Landmark Executive Center, the building now has new technologies Sutter said will result in faster, more precise imaging in a more relaxing manner for patients, all in one location. It will be staffed with a team of board-certified radiologists, highly trained technologists, nurse navigators, financial counselors and a patient registration team.
Among the new technologies are:A 128-slice CT scanner that will provide high-resolution and detailed photos of bones, organs, arteries and other tissues.A wide short bore MRI Scanner that allows patients to select personalized lighting, music, images and videos from an iPad to help them relax during a scan.Noise-reduction technology also improves the patient experience.
Both the MRI and CT scanners have wider openings and tables that can accommodate a weight of up to 500 pounds; digital mammography capable of taking three-dimensional images of breast tissue; and digital X-rays to provide improved image quality.
Radiologist Mark Popovich, M.D., is director of the Advanced Imaging Center and Arnold Honick, M.D., is director of outpatient breast imaging services.
“Our priority is to provide high-quality individual care for each patient,” Dr. Honick said in announcing the opening. “Our enhanced capabilities with imaging allow us to give patients the best care possible in a comfortable surrounding with precise scanning technology. With faster technology, we can diagnose abnormalities more quickly and begin treatment sooner, instead of having to spend time waiting for test results. “
New physicians at the plaza will enable the foundation to offer new services:Expanded dermatology care by Gagik Oganesyan, M.D., Ph.D., and Helena Longin, M.D, who will work out of a dermatology clinic that offers Mohs surgery (chemosurgery), Rosacea laser treatments, skin screening and other services.Medical oncology by oncologists Peter Brett, M.D., and Eric Dean, M.D., who will treat cancer patients in a new oncology infusion center and lab.
The lab has 13 reclining chairs for patients who need infusions of medications.
The oncology team includes nurse practitioners Pat Grinnell and Cheryl Caletti, Max Duncan, D.O., and J. Richard Mendius, M.D., who will provide evaluation, diagnostic, testing and treatment of adults with neurological disease.
Pooja Sherchan, M.D., will treat adult patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
That's in addition to family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, urology and surgery, which are existing services at North Bay Health Plaza.
The foundation also has primary care and specialty physicians in Sebastopol, Healdsburg, other Santa Rosa locations, Rohnert Park and Lake County.
