Redefining Health Care in WV | Jim Justice Announces the Creation of The Greenbrier Medical Institute at today's Press Conference
A forward-thinking medical initiative, which will dramatically impact how health care is delivered around the world, is being developed in West Virginia.
Jim Justice, chairman and owner of The Greenbrier, along with world-renowned physicians Dr. James Andrews, Michael Immel, orthopedic practice management consultant and long time advisor to Dr. Jim Andrews, and lauded health care developer Jack T. Diamond, today announced the creation of The Greenbrier Medical Institute.
While the Institute will be built in phases, the initial stages are estimated at $250 million. Phase I will include five buildings including
- a relocated and expanded executive health Greenbrier Clinic,
- a Jim Andrews sports medicine center,
- a cosmetic surgery and lifestyle enhancement academy,
- a sports performance and training facility and,
- a boutique hotel with 20 VIP suites.
The announcement is the result of 15 months of meetings
and diligence on the part of numerous individuals, including other highly regarded physicians and professionals who requested not to be identified.
The concept for this cutting-edge endeavor was developed by Andrews and Diamond, who envisioned a world-class medical complex which would revolutionize health care. In addition, Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough, an internationally recognized surgeon and teacher in the cosmetic surgery field, has joined the team. Their goal was to establish a medical mecca with numerous components including sports performance, wellness, research, product development, education, cosmetic surgery, preventive care and other specialties.
At the same time, they wanted a place that would attract the best physicians and health care professionals in the world, in turn creating a think tank of global proportions. Throughout their discussions, locations such as London, England, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Brasilia, Brazil and Seoul, South Korea were considered. However, once the idea was presented to Justice, the concept became a reality with its home to be White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
“This announcement is the result of months of confidential meetings and due diligence. Our founding members have been investigating various locations across the globe to determine just the right combination of health care resources, world class amenities, serenity, hospitality and proximity to thought leaders,” said Diamond. “When we approached Jim about the idea, he only asked what he could do to make our dream a reality. We knew then we had found the perfect partner.”
For Justice, who bought the 6750-acre resort in 2009, the decision was practical and emotional. “Over 200 years ago, people came here to improve their health; soaking in the sulphur water, using hollowed-out trees for bathtubs. That’s how The Greenbrier was born,” said Justice. “Now, we are redefining health care with the expertise of these highly regarded professionals, a state-of-the-art medical facility and forum for research and education. And we are doing it right here in West Virginia. How exciting is that?”
The Greenbrier Clinic was the nation’s first executive health program when it opened in 1948. The Clinic’s distinguished team of nine physicians includes Dr. Doug Jones, medical director and Dr. Suzanne Romeo, director of
the Clinic’s laser and aesthetic services. Long known as the leaders in diagnostic excellence and personalized executive care, The Clinic team will be a key component of The Greenbrier Medical Institute, which will employ
approximately 525 individuals.
One component of the Institute will be a sports medicine center, led by Andrews, along with Dr. Kevin Workman and Dr. Bob Haas of Greenbrier Valley Physical Therapy. Workman and Haas have extensive experience in athletic rehabilitation which compliments Andrew’s surgical expertise. “This will be a comprehensive diagnostic and clinical orthopedic sports medicine complex combined with a sports enhancement and training facility. This Institute is a unique combination of the world’s leading physicians and health care experts coming together and acting as a ‘think tank’ to stimulate medical research, drive innovation, force change and redefine how the world and individuals approach health, wellness and longevity,” said Andrews.
Workman, along with Dr. P. Gunnar Brolinson, team physician at Virginia Tech, will play an integral role in the Institute’s neurological (brain and spine) sports medicine center which will focus on the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological impact injuries (concussion) and sports related spine injuries. This will be the first of its kind and, when affiliated with the sports medicine component, will provide a range of sports injury/performance related services that will be unparalleled anywhere in the world. The center will provide leaders in the neurological sports medicine profession a format for collaboration, research and innovation in this rapidly advancing field.
There have been ongoing discussions with the WVU Health Sciences Center along with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. These relationships will prove greatly beneficial to these institutions as well as The Greenbrier Medical Institute.
Full-body rejuvenation and appearance enhancement are other facets of The Greenbrier Medical Institute. Under McCollough’s leadership, the center’s cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons will not only improve the way patients
look, but how they see, and care for, themselves. According to McCollough, “People who do the things that are required to look their best tend to find better health. Once patients understand how appearance, health, and
performance are interconnected, they will be eager to work with other Institute professionals in order to lose unwanted fat, build muscle, become more physically and mentally fit, improve endurance and feel more confident in taking on challenges which unhappy and unhealthy people see as impossible.”
The Greenbrier Medical Institute complex, designed by architect Willie Stokes, will feature classic Georgian architecture similar to the resort’s façade. A replica of the Springhouse, the site of the property’s sulphur springs, will be incorporated into the facility. The Institute will include guest suites for patients and their families. Diamond and his partner Mark E. Krohn are leading the development of this extensive project.
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About The Greenbrier:
Residing on 6,750-acres of lush landscape in West Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, The Greenbrier is an award winning resort which has been offering a welcoming home to its guests since 1778. This National Historic
Landmark, also known as America’s Resort, provides a world-class haven for discerning business guests and sophisticated leisure travelers.
In 2010, the resort opened the elegant Casino Club, “where Monte Carlo meets Gone with the Wind,” and hosted the inaugural Greenbrier Classic, a PGA TOUR, FedExCup event. In addition to golf on four championship courses, The Greenbrier’s amenities and services include a wide variety of flexible and unique meeting and event venues, several fine restaurants and lounges, including Prime 44 West steakhouse, In-Fusion and The Forum; access to more than 50 recreational activities and a luxurious 40,000 square-foot Spa. The Greenbrier is a founding member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts and of Historic Hotels of America. For more information, call 800-624-6070.
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