Hospitals & City Partner to Build Medical Facility on West Side

In spring of 2009, SJRMC and Memorial Hospital will launch Bendix Family Physicians, a fully staffed physicians' office at 1010 N. Bendix Drive, under the auspices of the non-profit Community Health Partners of South Bend.

“The City of South Bend is pleased to join as a partner with Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in meeting a documented community need for better, more affordable health care on the west side,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke.

SJRMC has donated the property, located on the east side of Bendix between Bonds Avenue and Hartzer Street, to the City so the Board of Public Works can undertake needed renovations. When complete, the city will convey the facility to the Community Health Partners in exchange for a 10-year commitment for quality health-care services and community health education efforts at the site.

SJRMC conducted a Community Needs Assessment in 2007 and noted that the most pressing needs for west side residents were access to primary health care services in their immediate locale, affordability of that care, and having a permanent medical home in which established physicians would provide care on a regular basis. SJRMC approached Memorial Hospital of South Bend and the City of South Bend with its findings and invited both entities to join in an effort to address the health-related needs of the residents.

"Providing permanent medical homes within our patients' neighborhoods is part of our Mission and doing so for the west side residents is a direct response to their input," said Nancy Hellyer, SJRMC President & CEO. "Bendix Family Physicians will be a fine collaborative model offering medical care and health-related educational opportunities in one place."

The effort coincides with community wide planning already under way for the revitalization of the former LaSalle Square shopping area. Renovation of the medical office building will take place in 2008. The facility is expected to open in 2009.Community Health Partners will invest nearly $1.2 million to furnish and equip the facility as a full-service medical practice and a venue for community health information and programming, and underwrite ongoing operational costs.