The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon Wednesday at The Medical Center's new Health & Wellness Center location in Chandler Park.
The Health & Wellness Center moved in December to its new facility on Tucker Way from nearby Greenwood Mall, where it had been housed for 13 years.
"Our lease with Greenwood Mall expired in December and they wanted to have a restaurant near the front of the mall," said Linda Rush, director of community wellness at the center. "We started looking in October and this area was available and in the same general area."
Rush said the building has not only allowed staff to continue to provide services such as exercise classes, blood pressure checks, health screenings and education, but new services have been added, as well.
"We've added a celiac support group, a brain and spinal tumor support group and a support group for those who have recently lost loved ones," she said.
Gaines Penn, chairman of the board of directors for the chamber, said The Medical Center is an important component in the Bowling Green community.
"The chamber appreciates all the center does for the community," Penn said. "They help bring economic benefits, such as jobs, to the community. They've turned Bowling Green into a main hub for health care."
Penn also thinks the new facility will be a boost for the Health & Wellness Center.
"(The move) gives them new exposure in a growing area and the opportunity to better serve the community," he said.
Rush agreed, citing positive public reaction to the Tucker Way facility.
"We've been really pleased with the response, especially with the improvement of parking with our new location," she said.
The center is staffed by registered nurses, dietitians and health educators, with a focus on disease prevention and wellness.
Its hours are from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday.
