Rush-Copley plans surgery center for Yorkville
Facility to offer outpatient operations, walk-in clinic and diagnostic services

January 11, 2007
By Justina Wang, Beacon News Staff Writer

YORKVILLE -- As Rush-Copley Medical Center prepares to start construction this month on its long-awaited Yorkville health-care facility, hospital officials Wednesday announced a major addition to the building plans: Kendall County's first surgery center.

The $7.5 million, 8,900-square-foot surgery center would provide outpatient operations, and is the latest addition to Rush-Copley's plans for its site at Route 34 and Cannonball Trail.

The Rush-Copley Healthcare Center also calls for Kendall County's first walk-in clinic, physician offices, an urgent-care center and room for a host of diagnostic services, including cardiac imaging, CT scans, mammograms and MRIs.

The original $23 million proposal for a three-story health center won state approval last month. Rush-Copley officials said they will submit a formal application for the planned surgery center in March.

"As the (Kendall County) community continues to grow, we want to continue to be their health-care provider," said Lisa Brady, chief strategy officer of the Aurora-based hospital.

Most Kendall County patients who need ambulatory surgeries currently travel to Rush-Copley's main campus, and there is no facility in the Yorkville area that provides those same services, Brady said.

"By us providing that facility out there, (patients) would have greater access and convenience," she said.

Rush-Copley has not decided what types of surgeons would operate at the center. Officials anticipate the surgery center to open in early 2008 at the same time as the rest of the building, but said the construction timeline depends on when the state approves the new plans.

Although Rush-Copley physicians practice in Yorkville, the Aurora-based hospital does not have a building in Kendall County. The center is not a hospital and will have no inpatient beds or emergency room.