A new doctor is coming to Salem.
Dr. Steve Whealon who currently has a practice in Smithton will begin working at the Salem Township Hospital West Whitaker Street clinic in about 90 days after credentialing is complete.
Hospital President Alex Nazarian made the announcement at Tuesday’s hospital board meeting. Whealon is a general practitioner and will be one of two doctors and two nurse practioners who will be practicing at the West Whitaker facility.
“We have realized that our community needs primary care. And as the government changes their approach to more preventative and wellness rather than treating acute conditions, the role of the family practice has increased gradually throughout the years. And we are at the point that we feel we need another practitioner to continue to provide the care we are known for in the community.”
Nazarian also updated the board on the renovation of the Emergency Room entrance that began six weeks ago and is taking longer than anticipated.
“We have been affected by shortage of materials and that’s not a surprise to anyone who is involved with construction. We are going through some tough time with logistics and supply chain issues. But we are near the end hopefully and we will be ready to be inspected by the state government to get the ok to open and start using it, I’m hoping within 4 weeks.”
Nazarian says the hospital also continues to deal with random shortages of different medical supply items.
The board received good financial news. The hospital completed the first month of their new budget with a $1.1-million profit. Nazarian says that is bucking a trend towards lower margins by hospitals across the nation in the first part of this year, with a quarter of all hospitals reporting negative numbers. The hospital continued to see in-patient numbers being lower than budgeted while outpatient services are above budget.
