AHOSKIE – In an era when the public cries for convenience, Roanoke-Chowan Hospital has seized the moment.

Hailed as a model of healthcare efficiency, R-CH opened its new Medical Pavilion on May 15. The pavilion is located within walking distance of the hospital at 700 South Academy Street.

“This is the future of healthcare, pulling physicians and services together under one roof,” Dave McRae, CEO of University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina (UHS), said. “It’s a coordinated effort to better serve the public’s medical needs.”

McRae was in Ahoskie on May 15 where the UHS Board of Trustees were conducting a meeting at R-CH. The trustees toured the hospital, the new medical pavilion and other R-CH facilities, including the ViQuest Center.

“This medical pavilion is a model facility that we would love to see more of throughout eastern North Carolina,” McRae added. “Not only is it unique by combining services under one roof, its location is ideal, within a short walk of the hospital as well as other offices offering specialized healthcare.”

The Roanoke-Chowan Medical Pavilion offers a trio of medical practices n Ahoskie Heart Center, Roanoke-Chowan Urology and Women’s Care of Ahoskie. All are R-CH-owned physician practices.

Dr. Robert G. Cooke (OB/Gyn), Dr. Joe Almario (urologist) and Dr. Jawal Suleman (cardiologist) have offices in the new building.

Cooke’s office can be reached at 332-3614; Almario at 332-6444 and Suleman at 209-5404.

“We are very excited about the opening of our new medical pavilion,” Joyce Brantley, medical office manager, said. “Our new facility provides spacious examination rooms, lovely waiting areas and state of the art equipment so that we can serve our patients with a high level of satisfaction.”

Brantley, who oversaw the development of the new complex, conducted a brief tour of the facility during the May 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house. Upon entering the front door, one can get a quick sense that this isn’t a regular doctor’s office. The staff of each medical practice is seated in three adjoining offices up front from where the patients are directed to their respective waiting room area.

Additionally, the pavilion has room to grow as there is current space available for a fourth medical practice.

R-CH President Sue Lassiter was on-hand for the May 15 dedication of the new building.

“We are extremely proud of our facilities and very pleased that the (UHS) Trustees could see, first-hand, all of the excellent healthcare services that we provide for Roanoke-Chowan area citizens,” Lassiter said.