Shopping and a sports physical: Meritus to open at Valley Mall

The holiday shopping season tends to bring people in droves to the local mall, in pursuit of the perfect gift, or perhaps a photo op with the man in the red suit.

Soon, the community will have another reason to head to the Valley Mall, as Meritus plans to open a multispecialty medical practice to include sports medicine, physical therapy and an urgent care in the former Sears department store, besides Dick’s Sporting Goods.

“We consider so many factors when we think about expanding our services,” said Meritus Health Chief Strategy Officer Dave Lehr.  “The Valley Mall sits in the perfect geographic location, the cross-roads of I-81 and I-70, where people from across the region can easily and conveniently access care.”

The location will open in March, and will officially launch Meritus Sports Medicine, a specialized care setting where athletes of all ages can seek preventative care, including sports physicals, as well as injury care, concussion management and joint and soft-tissue injections.

This year, Meritus expanded its support of athletic health in the community via a partnership with Washington County Public Schools, where Meritus-employed athletic trainers provide care to high school athletes on the sidelines.  Meritus Sports Medicine will expands on that model of care and will provide a more direct pathway following a sports injury.  Athletes of all levels are welcomed to the location.

“We want our patients to have the best experience possible when seeking care,” Lehr said.  “We envision this location to provide local athletes with the specialized care they need, from the sidelines, through recovery, and back on the field. We are excited to continue to grow to meet the needs of our community, and this is one area we know will have a positive impact.”

The location will also offer physical therapy and urgent care services to the community.  Community members with questions about Meritus Sports Medicine are encouraged to email: SportsMedicine@meritushealth.com.