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Hospital Buys Land in 3 Townships
The Grand Rapids Press, Terry Judd, September 12, 2008 - The
purchase last week by
Holland Hospital
of three properties for future development,
including a Grand Haven
Township parcel,
may signal growing cooperation among
hospitals in Holland, Zeeland
and Grand
Haven, officials say.
Acting on a July board directive, Holland Hospital last week purchased three properties
in Holland Township, Zeeland Township and Grand Haven Township for about $4.23
million. The Holland Township parcel is 6.8 acres and is located on Black River Drive.
The Zeeland Township site is 13 acres and is located on 84th Avenue. The Grand Haven
Township parcel is 10 acres and is located at U.S. 31 and M-45.
Holland Hospital Spokesman Tim Breed said although two of the properties literally are
in the back yards of Zeeland and North Ottawa community hospitals the purchases do
not signal a new round of competition among the three medical facilities.
On the contrary, Breed said the three hospitals have discussed ways they can cooperate
to improve health care in western Ottawa County.
Breed said Holland Hospital has had on-going talks at the administrative level with
North Ottawa Community Hospital and Zeeland Community Hospital regarding
possible future facilities before and after the property purchases. Breed stressed the
purchased properties will be developed working with the Grand Haven and Zeeland
hospitals.
"It is safe to say we would not be building another hospital and there are no definite
plans specifically for those sites," he said. "Our intention is to have discussions with
the local medical community -- physicians, specialists -- and also to work with North
Ottawa and Zeeland community hospitals to get their input on the types of services
that would be best for patients."
In a prepared statement, officials North Ottawa Community Health System only
confirmed they have been in contact with Holland Hospital regarding the property
purchases. Zeeland Community Hospital officials also are not commenting in detail.
"Because North Ottawa Community Health System is and will continue to be the
local heath system for the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas, Holland Hospital has
communicated with us about the purchase of property in Grand Haven," NOCHS
President and Chief Executive Officer Shelleye Yaklin said.
"However, at this time there is no specific plan or time frame for the use of the property.
When the time comes for a plan to be designed, North Ottawa Community Health
System will be an active participant in the process."
Breed said the three hospitals share a "common philosophy" of wanting "to provide
access and convenience of services for patients." Breed added there are no definitive
plans for the three parcels.
"There are no immediate plans to develop those properties and there are no plans on
the drawing board," he said. "This was meant to position the hospital if we find it
beneficial to patients to expand access and convenience of services."
Breed noted the Lakeshore Area Radiation Oncology Center near Holland is the result
of
a collaborative effort among Holland, Zeeland, North Ottawa and Spectrum Health
hospitals.
"What we're looking at is a similar cooperative effort," Breed said. "A collaborative
effort with the oncology center has really served cancer patients well. "We're looking
forward to more discussions."
