Kaiser Permanente is expanding in Forsyth County, adding internal medicine and dermatology to its repertoire.
The expansion also will add radiology and limited lab services, an additional pediatrician and a pharmacy. Those services not already being offered will begin after the grand opening Sept. 28.
Currently, the closest Kaiser Permanente pharmacy is in Alpharetta.
“We added areas in here for future expansions, which we hope will be added in the next year,” said Laura Hannah, manager of medical office administration for the company’s Forsyth Medical Office. “We look to offer behavior health services and OB/GYN services hopefully within the next year.”
The $1.5 million expansion increases the group’s presence on the Northside Hospital-Forsyth campus from 4,800 square feet to 11,000 square feet.
The company, which first opened in the county in 2004, occupies about half of the third floor in the hospital’s 1400 building, Hannah said.
The company touts itself as the state’s largest not-for-profit health plan, offering prepaid health options and physician group practice. Nationwide, the organization has more than 8 million members.
James McCoy, the president and chief executive officer of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, said the expansion is further evidence that “the market in Forsyth is just really strong in health care.”
“There’s a lot of affluent, insured people in Cumming and Forsyth County and health care is going to continue to be an area of opportunity for us to grow,” he said, adding that officials are “very proud” that Kaiser is expanding.
Kaiser’s local office serves about 3,500 members, a number Hannah said the company hopes to grow.
The expansion increased the number of jobs from 10 to 17, but an additional six to eight staff members could be brought in next year, she said.
“We’re looking to cover more area, especially to the north,” she said. “This Kaiser facility is the northern-most facility we have, so we’re looking to service everyone in this area, including Dawsonville, Dahlonega.”
The expansion also will add radiology and limited lab services, an additional pediatrician and a pharmacy. Those services not already being offered will begin after the grand opening Sept. 28.
Currently, the closest Kaiser Permanente pharmacy is in Alpharetta.
“We added areas in here for future expansions, which we hope will be added in the next year,” said Laura Hannah, manager of medical office administration for the company’s Forsyth Medical Office. “We look to offer behavior health services and OB/GYN services hopefully within the next year.”
The $1.5 million expansion increases the group’s presence on the Northside Hospital-Forsyth campus from 4,800 square feet to 11,000 square feet.
The company, which first opened in the county in 2004, occupies about half of the third floor in the hospital’s 1400 building, Hannah said.
The company touts itself as the state’s largest not-for-profit health plan, offering prepaid health options and physician group practice. Nationwide, the organization has more than 8 million members.
James McCoy, the president and chief executive officer of the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, said the expansion is further evidence that “the market in Forsyth is just really strong in health care.”
“There’s a lot of affluent, insured people in Cumming and Forsyth County and health care is going to continue to be an area of opportunity for us to grow,” he said, adding that officials are “very proud” that Kaiser is expanding.
Kaiser’s local office serves about 3,500 members, a number Hannah said the company hopes to grow.
The expansion increased the number of jobs from 10 to 17, but an additional six to eight staff members could be brought in next year, she said.
“We’re looking to cover more area, especially to the north,” she said. “This Kaiser facility is the northern-most facility we have, so we’re looking to service everyone in this area, including Dawsonville, Dahlonega.”