Instead of walking through hallways lined with stores like Banana Republic and Old Navy, shoppers at 100 Oaks, Nashville's first indoor mall, can expect to find general pediatrics, the Breast Diagnostic Center and Integrative Health.
In an effort to free up space at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center for additions to the Ingram Cancer Center and general surgery facilities, the Med Center has decided to expand by moving 19 of their clinics to the shopping center.
"Clinic space (at 100 Oaks) will be opened up for those programs that need expansion space, but are closely aligned with out patient care," said Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs Dr. C. Wright Pinson, "We will save space on campus for programs that have to be done in close proximity to the campus."
Vanderbilt has already begun construction at 100 Oaks, where they have a lease for more than half of the facility's space.
"We are taking over the whole second floor, and have completely gutted that and rebuilt it out," Pinson said. "Patients can expect the clinic to look much like a mall, with a main concourse and each of the clinics off to the side, much like a store would be."
Although the Med Center has taken over much of the center, retail stores, including TJ Maxx, Reebok and Michaels, will stay in business on the first floor.
The new clinic facility will have patients check in at a kiosk, similar to an airport check in system. With the swipe of a credit card patients can check in without answering questions about their addresses, health insurance or filling out any time consuming forms.
"You swipe your credit card, you don't have to talk to somebody and the machine already has all of your information," Pinson said.
After checking in at the kiosk, patients will be given a beeper and are then free to roam the 100 Oaks facility, shopping or visiting the food court, until their beeper goes off at the start of their appointment.
Pinson said that he hopes the new clinics will help boost business at 100 Oaks.
"The mall has been here since the mid ‘60s and has never caught its stride. In general, what we have found is that the city is very happy that we are willing to invest in this," said Pinson.
In an effort to establish a good relationship with the surrounding neighborhood, the Med Center has created a grant program for new community projects. The $25,000 designated for the program has been distributed to seven different school and community groups. A few of the winners include Glencliff High School, the Neighborhoods Resource Center, and the Flatrock Heritage Community Garden.
The Med Center will also have 20 VUPD officers at the 100 Oaks property to ensure the safety of the patients, staff and shoppers.
"We are trying to be good citizens," Pinson said.
Pinson said construction has stayed on schedule and plans to open in April 2009 still stand. Only one of the 19 clinics, Pediatric Rehabilitation Services, is open now.
When open, the 100 Oaks clinics will have services in dermatology, general pediatrics, multiple sclerosis, obstetrics and gynecology and surgical weight loss, in addition to a pharmacy, full lab services, radiology and diagnostic imaging. The facility will also include a 70,000-square-foot wellness center for a physical therapy facility.
