Wake Forest Baptist Health Wilkes Medical Center Explained

Wilkes Medical Center
Org/Group:Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Health
Location:North Wilkesboro
Region:Wilkes County
State:North Carolina
Country:US
Healthcare:HMO, POS, PPO/EPO, Workers' Compensation, Medicaid, Medicare
Type:Primary care, Secondary care
Speciality:General
Beds:130 Beds
Founded:1952 (as Wilkes General Hospital)

Wilkes Medical Center is a 130-bed,[1] medical center in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, that offers a full range of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, pathology, ophthalmology and behavioral health services. WestPark Medical Park, which includes numerous offices for physicians, medical specialists, pharmacies, physical therapists, and other medical and health-related fields also serves the hospital. WMC is the largest hospital in northwestern North Carolina and is North Wilkesboro's largest employer.[2] Originally, the hospital was opened on May 1, 1952, as Wilkes General Hospital.[3]

Expansion

Wilkes Medical Center, then Wilkes Regional Medical Center, expanded services in 2012 by establishing an Urgent Care Center in West Park Medical Plaza. The hospital also opened a Heart Center and a larger Emergency Department. The project cost a total of $15.5 million.

Awards and honors

In 2013, Wilkes Medical Center was ranked as the top obstetrics center in the nation (among the 212 birthing centers rated), for "patient satisfaction" by Professional Research Consultants.[4] Professional Research Consultants also gave Wilkes five stars for patient satisfaction for "outpatient quality of care, inpatient medical quality of care, and outpatient radiology quality of care.[4]

Affiliation

Wilkes Medical Center is affiliated with Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. A 30-year lease agreement between the Board of Commissioners of the Town of North Wilkesboro and Wake Forest Baptist was completed early July 2017.[5] Re-branding to Wake Forest Baptist Health – Wilkes Medical Center also began early July 2017.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Patient Care Facilities. Wilkes Regional Medical Center. May 7, 2012.
  2. Web site: Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Town of North Wilkesboro. May 7, 2012.
  3. News: Hayes. Francis. New WRMC areas open soon. May 7, 2012. Wilkes Journal-Patriot. May 2, 2012.
  4. Web site: WRMC birthing center ranked first in U.S. .
  5. Web site: Town of North Wilkesboro and Wake Forest Baptist Announce Completion of Agreement to Lease Wilkes Regional Medical Center. www.wakehealth.edu. en. 2017-07-15. http://www.wakehealth.edu/News-Releases/2017/Town_of_North_Wilkesboro_and_Wake_Forest_Baptist_Announce_Completion_of_Agreement_to_Lease_Wilkes_Re(1).htm
  6. Web site: Wilkes Regional Medical Center. wilkesregional.com. en. 2017-07-15.