VERO BEACH — The new multi-million dollar home of the New Vision Eye Center, which will feature a patient-friendly experience from the parking lot all the way to the doctor’s offices, is expected to be completed by next summer.
Located just east of Vero Radiology and across the street from Indian River Medical Center, the 19,000-square-foot single-story facility will feature a 6,500-square-foot surgical center and another 12,500-square-feet devoted to clinical space for the four full-time ophthalmologists at the center — Dr. Paul Minotty, Dr. Roger Meyer, Dr. David O’Brien, and Dr. Stephen Tate.
“We represent every specialty both medically and surgically as far as ophthalmology is concerned,” Dr. Minotty said. “And we will be able to grow if that is something we decide to do.”
Dr. Minotty said the group considered a number of sites throughout the county, but that it ultimately made the most sense to be in the heart of the medical district to house the center. Among the attractive features was building new rather than retro-fitting space to meet their needs which also means bringing in all brand new state of the art equipment.
Work on the project actually began earlier this week and is expected to take about a year to complete. And as a new building it will meet all the current and stringent environmental and safety codes.
Dr. Minotty also said that the building, initially designed by Vero Beach architect Matthew Gore to fit in with the surrounding Georgian-style offices in the district, uses the “wayfinding” theory of design to incorporate more intuitive surroundings for patients.
“It’s a theory that takes into account everything and makes your patients’ journey through your facility more pleasant and logical,” Dr. Minotty said. “Patients will know where to go and their overall experience is enhanced. Everything is designed in a logical way and makes sense all the way from the parking lot to the separation of certain functions within the center. Overall it just makes everyone have a better day.”
To achieve the right patient experience Dr. Minotty said a lot of attention is being paid to color schemes, ceiling tiles and flooring to make sure everything meshes in an efficient manner.
The actual construction and engineering is being managed by Mount Dora-based Gordon and Associates, which specializes in building medical centers. The interior design is being handled by M-B Interiors run by Vero Beach native Christina Bruce, who now lives in Savannah, Ga.
“I think we’ve tried to consider every aspect of patient care and patient experience,” Dr. Minotty said. “I can’t imagine a better facility in this day and age. We are real excited about it.”
