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New medical building will break ground in November

Thursday, October 22, 2009
By Brian Mosely

This rendering shows the location (at the top of the illustration, just left of center) of Russell Plaza, a 30,000 square foot, two-story office building that's scheduled to be completed by July 2010 near Heritage Medical Center.
(Submitted photo illustration by Davis-Stokes Collaborative) [Order this photo]

Groundbreaking for Bedford County's newest medical facility, Russell Plaza, has been set for November, according to its namesake.

In August, plans were submitted to the city of Shelbyville for a 30,000-square-foot building that was believed at the time to be office space for local physicians.

There wasn't much information available about the project when the site plans were presented to the Shelbyville Planning Commission in August, but now that Dr. William Russell has made the official announcement, more details have become available.

This illustration by Davis Stokes Collaborative, the architectural firm involved in the design of the new Russell Plaza, depicts the finished building.
[Click to enlarge]
Dr. Russell said there is a "real push" underway to recruit doctors at Heritage Medical Center, acquiring those trained in specialities and sub-specialties where the hospital is undermanned, Russell said.

Several new doctors are already set up in the hospital's nearby office building, which is already full, Russell said.

Many of those doctors work directly with Heritage, and the physicians that will occupy Russell Plaza will add to that.

How it started

Russell began his practice in Shelbyville in January 2003 after retiring from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a professor of surgery. He and his wife moved here for the same reason that many do -- horses.

He got his start as a solo practitioner 40 years ago and says he's delighted to conclude his career in the same way.

Russell said he is "really committed to health care and the quality of health care in Shelbyville," and recruiting the new doctors, but he also has another reason. He needs a new office.

The current Medical Arts Building behind the old Bedford County Medical Center will soon be turned into Middle Tennessee State University's Shelbyville branch campus. Russell said he had thought about putting up a single office for himself, but those plans changed.

The idea for the medical complex came together after local realtor Phil Fisher brought contractor Lee Adcock to the table with Russell, and after talking it over, architect John Davis of Davis Stokes of Brentwood was brought into the project.

"Phil has been helping us put a lot of this together," Russell explained. "We're excited that we've got local people and local financing. We're not an outside entity coming in and saying, 'We're going to build you a building and lease it' ... what we're doing is building an office complex that will be used by our doctors."

Russell said they hope to have the offices open by the first of July 2010.

Enough space

Renderings of the interior of the building show plans for doctor's offices containing examining rooms and reception areas. In Dr. Russell's case, his office will have a procedure room for surgery as well as spaces for examination.

A basic office for a doctor will be 1,300 to 1,800 square feet, Russell explained, and larger spaces can be accommodated on the second floor. The building could hold space for eight to 12 doctors and staff.

Heritage is actively in the process of recruiting the new doctors now, Russell said, and has already been successful in bringing in cardiologists, surgeons, and primary care physicians.

"We're looking for well-trained, well qualified folks to come to our area," he said. Russell said he would like to see sub-specialists come to the area as well, focusing on arthritic and rheumatoid diseases.

"Hopefully, we can reestablish our hospital as a real center of excellence, because the reputation of Shelbyville and its health care community is very rich," Russell said, a tradition that goes back to the days of Drs. Derryberry, Feldhaus, Rich, Johnson, and Ownby, "and many others that preceded us."

"I don't know if we can achieve their level of expertise, but we're going to try awfully hard."

Comments

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I was going to comment, but this is just too easy.

-- Posted by TubeSock on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 10:23 AM

Stick a sock in it "tube sock"

-- Posted by bufford t on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 10:52 AM

lmao

-- Posted by noneya on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 11:04 AM

The name is Ownby, not Owensby!! Good grief!! As much as he did for the hospital you could AT LEAST

get his name right! He did MAJOR things for this

hospital that are still in place today. He was a great person as well as a top physician!! He is missed very much!!

-- Posted by nomountainman on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 12:00 PM

The great people who served our medical needs in the past did so without the benefit of fancy buildings,amazing technology or complicated insurance/health care plans.

They excelled using little more than skill,a body of knowledge,compassion,dedication and common sense.

What more might they have accomplished had their gifts been supplemented by what our current providers have today?

But,fine settings are secondary to having the right "gems" in place.

Let's get physicians and staff of the highest caliber then get out of their way.

Let's remove any obstacles to their applying their talent in the classic,thorough,"hands-on" manner.

Even Leonard McCoy of "Star Trek" emphasized that a "horse-and-buggy" era mentality was more important to healing than tri-corders,nanites and chemical wizardry.

We don't need to erect yuppie palaces for people who are blocked from being anything more than mechanics for machines formed of meat.

This is meant to be the workplace of medical professionals.

Let's hope we can acquire the kind of people Dr. Russell had in mind and they get the chance to earn the kind of love and respect their predecessors garnered.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 1:25 PM

bufford t,

Did you enlist anyone else to help you come up with that or are you just that original? I bet you go to the magnet school huh little guy?

-- Posted by TubeSock on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 5:21 PM

Yep thats just what we need.More office spaces.So the poor people can pay the rent of these offices.You know the ones who can't be treated, because they have no insurance or can't afford to get their medications after paying office visits. What a joke.The doctors are the highest paid employees at Heritage Hospital.Get their goodies for free in their new fancy doctors lounge.

You can have all the new most updated equipment at these new offices.But like computers,its only as smart as the person who is inputting the info in it.

Hertiage Medical Center may be new.But making the same mistakes that the ones who worked for the county hospital.Because they are working at new hospital.

Why can't they open a medical center for the elderly or dis abled people. You know, the ones on soc. security. And not on welfare.

and have a C E O in that building, that really cares for the people and what their needs are.Not to have a fancy office and never there when you need him. Or to be on a local T V station saying how wonderful his place of employment is.And how much it has change.Yes its changed, you can't afford to go there.And it has the same reputation as it did.And will always have.

The old people of this county, raised their children with out welfare.They have no insurance.And the old doctors that are talked about, cared about them.Now we take their insurance away.You may as well say:Just throw them to the curb and for get about them...........................

Really gave them something for them to look forward to their Golden Olden Years.. HA.

-- Posted by Wheelbillie on Thu, Oct 22, 2009, at 6:39 PM

Why do I think none of our current doctors are allowed to get paid in quilts,turnip greens,croppie,doves,chow-chow or peach preserves?

I remember some of the local medical personnel buying things for patients out of their own pockets,hand-feeding them a treat,making medical equipment from odds and ends in a way that would make Angus MacGyver proud and putting the welfare of the patients and the community above all else.

Between their high expenses and the bureaucracy they face,would there be an opportunity for modern day healers to practice the kind of medicine our elderly assumed would exist for them at this time in their lives?

Will our young have an expectation of experiencing a family physician,a Florence Nightingale-type nurse or will their ideals be more along the lines of Gregory House and the nurses of ER?

Ideally,we can have the best of both worlds in an environment that offers up-to-date medical knowledge and state-of-the art tools in tandem with the notion that each case involves *people* who can be active participants in their medical care.

Such a blend might prove economically practical as well as effective for the patients and those involved in optimizing their health.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 2:57 AM

Tubesock, You are absolutely disgusting. Dr. Russell happens to be my surgeon and he is without question the kindest smartest Dr. that I have ever known. I think you should enter the magnet school.

And I have never read a positive blog coming from you. Get a life...........

-- Posted by Brooklynn on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 11:39 AM

The late Dr. Connell of Wartrace was the "old timey" doctor who often took his pay in the form of produce or other bartered items. And this is inspiring and heartwarming of course, but it must be said he did not become a rich man, and consequently lived modestly.

He did, however, have some longterm help from my grandmother, Mrs. H.L. Walker, known throughout the Fairfield community as Miss Mattie D or Ma to her grandchildren. He was our doctor, and early on in his practice she told him when he delivered babies for families "having a hard time" to let her know. He took her up on this and many times. In the middle of night, she would go to her linen closet and get clean bedclothes. My Aunt Mat Walker would be in the kitchen getting vessels of hot water to send, along with breakfast food. Dr. Connell would pick Miss Mattie D. up and off they would go to deliver a baby. Ma would change the bed, assist the doctor, and cook breakfast for the family. Doctor Connell's fee was $75. He would donate half his fee, charging the family only $37.50, and Ma would give him a check for that $37.50 for his services. Sometimes a patient would need to be admitted to the hospital. She would go with Dr. Connell and pull out that checkbook to get another of God's children some treatment.

She discouraged her family from telling anyone about her ministry. She is gone now, but many remember her "tender, loving care."

She never laid up for herself great treasures on earth, but she did lay up some treasures in heaven.

-- Posted by bellbucklebob on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 4:13 PM

Brooklynn,

Exactly what did I say that was disgusting and when did I say it? I would like you to point out where I said anything whatsoever about Dr. Russell. Please. I'll wait. Can't do it?

You're an amazing individual, Brooklynn. Having the ability to label anyone disgusting for no reason at all really takes talent. You should have your own reality show.

And just so you know, I don't need the magnet school. I have a couple of degrees under my belt. But you'll be happy to know that I have a child there.

-- Posted by TubeSock on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 6:40 PM

My hope is that the "corporate minds" that are now in control of our hospital are not going to rely on beautiful structures to correct years of incompetent health care.

These "buildings" are just new bones...that's all. The everyday bottom line inside these buildings seems to me to be the exact same as the old way if not worse.

I think the confidence and moral of the staff that we depend on to treat us is so low that it compromises the ability to provide even the basics.

I am not saying that there aren't very well trained and talented staff available but after a recent experience there myself...there is no doubt that a large % of the staff are not happy with their employer...that trickles down to us...the patients!!

Good Luck with all the "new square footage" hope you don't fill it with pissed off, underpaid and overworked staff.

-- Posted by crystalclear2me on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 6:58 PM

I agree we still have excellent support personnel around.

If we invest in them and show them and the patients respect,our facilities will thrive with any sort of plant.

If that's left out,the good professionals and those they might serve will look elsewhere for what's missing here at home.

The upscale firms that might otherwise set up operations here will look for locales that retain their best workers of all types and have residents who "shop at home" for health care as well as cars,apparrel,food and entertainment.

-- Posted by quantumcat on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 12:05 AM

Why do you think thats why it's going to be called: Russel Plaza? It didn't take long to figure that out on the whos own the property.Hes getting a bigger office and an operating room in this building.And will be collecting the rents of the other doctors.(which will pay his rent and pay the bill of the building).

And I know for a fact: that there are employees that have worked for both hospitals and have been working over 5 plus years and is making a little over min. wage.What a shame.

I was sitting in the emergency room, when 2 people came in. They both had service dogs. The lady was blind. ( she had a broken shoulder).She had fallen in the parking lot of the hotel that they were staying at. Her husband had a seizure dog.(and was upset that they were here visiting from out of state)To make a long story short. The person who brought them in, sat talking to me, holding the harness of the ladies dog.All of a sudden, the man came out and told that person, " The doctor is afraid of dogs and is making me bring my dog to you. Or I can't keep my dog with me, if I want to stay in there with my wife". And he went back in with his wife.

I can only imagine the stories they told their friends and family members when they got back to where they lived.I told them to contact the ADA in Nashville.What if that man had a seizure??????

That dog had a magnet in his bandana that he leans on this mans neck when he has a seizure. SHAME ON THAT DOCTOR.What a jerk he was.

I told them not to bother calling the CEO. Because he is never there to take calls.But I bet when they don't pay their bill, it will get his attention.

I have seen people get better treatment at South Side Animal Clinic.

Dan the man(CEO of Heritage) can take a lesson from them.................................

-- Posted by Wheelbillie on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 1:16 PM

-- Posted by Wheelbillie on Sat, Oct 24, 2009, at 1:16 PM

Of course, those are the perks when you own the property. Completely within the bounds of acceptability.

-- Posted by gottago on Sun, Oct 25, 2009, at 9:32 PM

I am commenting on Wheelbillie's comment on the hospital situation. It was my wife that was injured at a local hotel & had to be taken to the hospital.

Both my wife & I have Service Dogs. I have a Seizure Response Dog, & my wife has a Seeing Eye Dog. During our visit to TN, my wife slipped & fell in our hotel parking lot.

There the doctors & staff took excellent care of my wife. But it was very upsetting to me that I had to leave my Seizure Response Dog in the waiting room with someone else, because the attending physician had personal concerns about dogs. I am grateful for his care and concerns for my wife, but in today's society ALL individuals need to be educated about and obey by The American With Disabilties Act.

I, personally don't feel that I should leave my Service Animal in someone's care at a hospital or any other establishment to get assistance.

Thank you for your time.

I want to thank the individuals looking after our 2 Service Dogs there.

And once again, thank you to the hospital & staff.

-- Posted by elnelson_08865 on Tue, Oct 27, 2009, at 7:50 AM

To elnelson,

I am so sorry you had such a bad experience during your visit.Apparently the doctor had no idea of the laws about service dogs.And was on thinking of his own fears.I was with the person who brought you in, as I was sitting there with her,your dog was very un easy not being able to be with you,The woman was afraid you were having a seizure.But she took good care of your dogs.I looked up your 08865 and seen you were from Phillipsburg,NJ.Sure do hope your hotel help you and your wife out after she broke her shoulder on their property.Hope you have a speedy recovery and come back to Tennessee once again.

-- Posted by Wheelbillie on Tue, Oct 27, 2009, at 8:14 PM

To Wheelbillie,

Thank you very much for your care and support at our time at the hospital. As you were wondering if our hotel did anything to assist us? Hardly! They did not even ask at The Best Western Celebration Inn & Suites, if we needed an ambulance or any other help.

I had inquired about incident reports at the front desk to be filled out, but was told it was not their responsibility (the hotel) for any accidents on their property.

The General Manager was away on business at the time. After he returned, I inquired again, and he too gave me the same response. I told him it was not for my purpose of lawsuit, just to be on record.

It took wto calls to corporate offices to get some assistance to do that. I did get a response back from the GM with his sincere apologies and bes wishes on my wife's recovery.

I then wrote a letter to the property owner to let them know of our incident. I know they received it, hoping back for a reply.

-- Posted by elnelson_08865 on Sun, Nov 1, 2009, at 4:23 PM