New medical facility coming to Roanoke

ROANOKE, Ind. (WANE) – Leaders from Lutheran Health Network, Lutheran Medical Group, the Town of Roanoke and Huntington County will break ground on a new $1.2 million, 7,234 square-foot family medicine physician office at 1 p.m. Monday, June 25.

According to the Lutheran Health Network, the modern building will be located at 280 Commercial St. in downtown Roanoke, approximately three blocks from town hall.

The new facility will replace a much smaller structure about a half-mile away that was built decades ago as a single family home.

The new Lutheran Medical Group facility will be more than 80 percent larger than the existing practice and offer modern accommodations including additional, more convenient parking, six exam rooms, an updated area for lab work and a procedure room.

“The Town of Roanoke is very excited about this Lutheran Medical Group project,” said Troy Karshner, town council president. “We believe that having a multipurpose facility of this kind will be a great asset to the citizens in our community and to those who live in surrounding areas. We are looking forward to the future and to many new relationships that will come our way.”

Ultimately, the smaller, homelike setting at 155 W. Eighth Street was not built for the medical complexity of modern healthcare and a larger facility was needed. Lutheran Health Network officials also point to ongoing support from the community as being a factor in its decision to expand.

“Lutheran Medical Group and all those who have served on Eighth Street, including Dr. B.T. Cooper who cared for patients there for 40 years, have enjoyed positive experiences and warm hospitality from the neighbors who make that a special location for the staff and patients,” said Joe Dorko, chief executive officer, Lutheran Health Network. “We’re honored to be a welcomed member of this community and pleased to acknowledge that partnership with a modern facility to better meet its family medicine needs.”

Jeffrey Witt, MD, is LMG’s full-time family medicine physician in Roanoke. The practice also has four other employees. As the town and its surrounding area continue to grow, the larger facility will allow for the addition of a second practitioner and more staff as the need arises.

"The economic development community of Huntington County is very excited and honored that Lutheran has furthered its commitment to Roanoke and we're here to support the success of this project," said Mark Wickersham, executive director of Huntington County Economic Development.

The new location on Commercial Street, which will be visible from U.S. 24, will be more readily accessible from the highway. Construction is expected to be completed by early November.