Hundreds of community members attended the grand opening of the new Fruitland Medical Plaza on Thursday, July 31.

A key feature of the medical plaza is a new emergency department that opens Aug. 1. The emergency department is more than 14,000 square feet and includes 14 exam rooms. The department is part of the more than 82,000 square foot medical plaza, which includes an an urgent care, a walk-in patient clinic, laboratory services, diagnostic and imaging services, and physician offices.

The Fruitland Medical Plaza employs nearly 80 people. A highlight of the event was the announcement of the winner of a 2014 Toyota Corolla, which was donated by Steve's Hometown Toyota. Only 2,000, $25 raffle tickets were sold, which raised $50,000 for future expansions in Fruitland. The lucky winner of the Toyota Corolla was Mike Hanigan of Fruitland. To see more photos of the grand opening click here.

Proceeds from the car raffle will go toward phase two of the Fruitland project. Phase two would primarily allow for the relocation of the existing Fruitland clinic of St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI), and other outpatient services.

Plans for phase two of the project have not been finalized and will be contingent on the success of a community fundraising effort to offset 10 percent of the expected $25 million cost. Phase two would primarily allow for the relocation of the existing Fruitland clinic of St. Luke’s Mountain States Tumor Institute (MSTI), and other outpatient services. In addition, plans are in place to build a respite house adjacent to the Fruitland Medical Plaza that would provide overnight housing for patients undergoing treatment.

The completion of the St. Luke's Fruitland Medical Plaza wouldn't have been possible without the generous support of community members.  Several local organizations have held a variety of fundraisers for St. Luke's Fruitland. All the money raised is going toward phase two of the project.  Recent donations include:

• Patrick's Pub, $3,240 was raised from a fundraiser hosted by Patrick's Pub owner Dan Belvoir.
• Treasure Valley Believe in  A Cure, $8,500 was raised from a variety of events including the annual "Bowl for a Cure" event.
• St. Luke's construction department, $11,410.05 was raised from the sale of recyclable materials removed from the temporary Fruitland Clinic location, which was dismantled when the new facility opened.

St. Luke’s has been providing services in the Fruitland area since 1997 when St. Luke’s MSTI collaborated with then Holy Rosary Medical Center to provide infusion services. In 2002, St. Luke’s opened a MSTI clinic in Fruitland to provide full-service cancer treatment services. In 2010, in response to a demand to increase St. Luke’s services, a health clinic in temporary space was opened in Fruitland.

For more information, contact Ken Dey, St. Luke’s Media Manager, [email protected].