Schertz Parkway Health Care Capacity Doubling
By
Chuck
McCollough
Dr. Laura Akright Brings Balance To Patients Health
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MARCH 2011 schertzmagazine.com
struction done by September.”
“Now that we have Phase 1 done, a lot of medical and dental offices are interested in Phase 2, including a large orthopedic group that already has leased one building,” he said. “We will start site work on Phase 2 (20,000 square feet) in March and hope to have con-
“We are very bullish on the growing Schertz Health Care sector and expect to see it become more and more important to the city,” he said. “And it was the City of Schertz that helped us get SPPP going forward and giving that sector momentum.”
Phase 3 will add two more buildings totalling 18,500 and is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2012, Birmingham said.
Mayor Hal Baldwin said expansion of the health care community in Schertz will benefit residents by bringing regular and specialized medical and dental services closer to home. “A strong health care community benefits our economy and serves as a strong indication of the need for something like a hospital out here,” Mayor Baldwin said. “I sure would love to see a hospital in Schertz.” SPPP is located at 5000 Schertz Parkway.
“I need more space in order to house my practice and my clinical research team in one office,” she said. “Second, I really do not need proximity to a hospital – my practice has evolved to more prevention and less acute care. Third, my husband’s practice was moving to the first building (in Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza), and it seemed the golden opportunity to be in proximity. I also have a large patient base out in the Schertz area, including New Braunfels, and this will be that much closer for them.”
“My private practice of endocrinology is, in large part, diabetes but also covers thyroid disorders, metabolic bone problems and other glandular problems,” she said. “My current areas of clinical research are in the early treatment of Type I (juvenile) diabetes, as well as newer treatments of Type II diabetes.” Away from the office, Drs. Laura and Bruce Akright like to travel with their children. The Akrights are avid soccer fans and went to the World Cub in Germany in 2006 and South Africa in 2010. They plan to see the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. For more information on Northeast Endocrinology call (210) 650-3360 or click on www.neendocrinology.com. MARCH 2011 schertzmagazine.com
McCollough
“I have gotten around 30 calls since November from parties interested in locating in our project,” said Birmingham, managing director of SPV Ventures and developer of the Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza. The 7.6-acre medical/office project already has built 18,000 square feet of a projected 56,000 square feet of space.
The Schertz name, the city’s location on IH-35 and its smalltown feel help attract the attention of local and out-of-state health care groups looking to relocate or expand to Schertz, Birmingham said.
“We have been well received in our new location, and the practice continues to grow,” Dr. Laura Akright said. She also believes specialized clinics like Northeast Endocrinology give the Schertz area the diversity of close-to-home health care a growing population needs.
Chuck
Carey Birmingham can hear the Schertz Health Care sector growing when his phone rings.
“I have been in private practice for 25 years at the same location next to Northeast Baptist Hospital and am relocating for several reasons,” Dr. Akright said before moving her practice – Northeast Endocrinology Associates – to Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza, 5000 Schertz Parkway.
Dr. Laura Akright is married to Dr. Bruce Akright, who works at the Northeast OB/GYN Associates clinic next door.
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A monument sign for Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza and its tenants stands near the entrance of the tree-shaded complex.
From left, Dr. Laura Akright and Nurse Practitioner Debra Gallop visit with staff member Dalma Palacios after looking at a patent’s file.
Dr. Laura Akright relocated her endocrinology (treating hormone imbalances) practice to Schertz last year, joining a growing number of health care professionals who want to be closer to patients and a part of a growing medical sector.
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