Kaiser Permanente to Open New Medical Offices in Holly Springs and Northwest Cobb

ATLANTA, April 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente announced today it will invest $4.4 million to open two new medical offices in Cherokee and Cobb Counties.

The two locations bring to five the number of new medical offices that are part of Kaiser Permanente's expansion program, which will offer more convenience to its members in metro Atlanta. The organization's East Cobb and Downtown Decatur medical offices opened in late 2009 and a new Lawrenceville facility is scheduled to begin operations in May. Kaiser Permanente plans to add as many as four more medical offices by the end of 2010.

The new Holly Springs medical office -- Kaiser Permanente's first location in Cherokee County -- will be located in Suite 275 at 684 Sixes Road, just off Exit 11 on I-575. The Northwest Cobb medical office will be located at 2505 Dallas Highway, near the intersection with Barrett Parkway. It will be the organization's fifth location in Cobb County.

The addition of the two new locations brings to 22 the number of Kaiser Permanente medical facilities in the organization's 28-county service area. The organization owns or leases more than one million square feet of building space in metro Atlanta.

"These two new medical offices will provide more convenience and access to our members in Cherokee County, northwest Cobb and surrounding areas," said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. "The properties are in ideal locations, allowing us to better serve members in these thriving regions."

The 6,405 square foot Holly Springs medical office will employ between 15 and 20 health care professionals, while the Northwest Cobb location (7,488 square feet) also will employ 15 to 20. Both will include exam and procedure rooms, a laboratory, a pharmacy and basic radiology services. Kaiser Permanente is investing about $4.4 million in interior construction, furniture, and medical and IT equipment in both medical offices.

"Cherokee County residents have grown to expect quality services, such as healthcare, to be available here in the community. Kaiser Permanente's expansion into Cherokee County will enhance the array of services currently offered," said Mark Goddard, Cobb EMC & Cherokee County Chamber Board Chair. "The expansion is also a testament to Kaiser Permanente's leadership for viewing Cherokee County as a viable place in which to conduct business."

Staffed by physicians of The Southeast Permanente Medical Group, the new medical offices will initially offer internal medicine and pediatrics for Kaiser Permanente members. Additional specialties may be added.

"The City of Holly Springs is honored to have Kaiser Permanente joining our business community," said Mayor Timothy B. Downing. "Kaiser is recognized nationally as a premier healthcare and wellness provider with an outstanding reputation only matched by their generosity in the community. The City Council and I are not only thrilled about the decision by Kaiser Permanente to locate in the City of Holly Springs, but we look forward to an extended and fruitful partnership."

The new Holly Springs medical office is projected to open by mid-June, 2010, while the Northwest Cobb location plans to open by late July of this year.

About Kaiser Permanente of Georgia

Kaiser Permanente is Georgia's largest not-for-profit health plan. Its mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of its members and the communities it serves. Kaiser Permanente serves more than 230,000 members in a 28-county service area in metro-Atlanta with care focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists, and team of heath care providers. Expert and caring medical teams are supported by industry-leading technology and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Nationally, Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America's leading health care providers, serving more than 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.kp.org .

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente of Georgia