A new $7 million surgery center was christened Thursday evening with a ribbon cutting and tours by for Doctors Hospital of Manteca staff for practicing physicians and elected officials.
The outpatient surgery center rounds out new facilities at the Norman Driver campus that includes imaging and cancer centers.
The center actually opened for patient surgeries on Feb. 1.
“This is a significant investment in our community by Doctors Hospital of Manteca and Tenet Healthcare,” said CEO Ikenna (Ike) Mmeje.  “Our goals is not only to make it easier for patients to get in and out more quickly when they need care, but also to make their visit a much more pleasant experience for them.  And, it’s in a much more convenient location.” 
The 6,000-square-foot out-patient facility has three operating rooms – one dedicated to laser cataract and other eye procedures with the other two reserved for infusion therapy and physical medicine and rehabilitation,  including pain management.
Other specialty medical procedures planned for the surgery center include ear, nose and throat care, cardiology, plastic surgery, podiatry and urology.  Additional services are expected to be available in the future.
A total of seven pre-op and post-op beds are included at the center which surrounded by multi-specialty physician offices and the DHM wound center.  The interior of the center has an attractive open plan design that is intended to enhance patient comfort and provide residents faster and easier access to medical services than in a traditional hospital setting.
“The number of surgeries performed at the hospital on a daily basis has increased significantly over the last three years,” according to Carmen Silva, RN, and chief operating officer and operating room director.
“The opening of the new surgery center allows us to treat more people who need care, while freeing up much needed operating room space in the hospital for higher acuity surgeries,” Silva said.