Access to Health Care 

Access to quality health care is an important issue when your family is moving to a new area. But quality health care isn't an issue in Union County – there's an abundance of it.

More than 120 physicians practice in specialties from cardiology to radiology, from endoscope to rehabilitation. The county also has health professionals in chiropractic, podiatry, optometry, dentistry and other fields. Although all physicians have offices in Union County, some are based in nearby Charlotte and hold non-daily hours in Union County.Residents have choices in hospital care, emergency care and long-term care.

Carolinas Medical Center-Union, a 247-bed facility with acute, long-term care and behavioral health services, has provided high-quality medical care for people in Union County and the surrounding area for more than 50 years.

CMC-Union is the largest healthcare provider in Union County and is part of the Carolinas HealthCare System (CHS).The CHS affiliation assures area residents that they have easy access to the best care possible.

During the past two decades, CMC-Union has made investments in technology and programs to provide the best in patient care.In 2003, the hospital completed a $47 million expansion project, adding an outpatient treatment pavilion and expanding hospital services, including a cancer center, an outpatient laboratory, diagnostic imaging services, a rehabilitation center, cardiopulmonary and neurology services, a sleep center, a diabetes center and lactation services.

CMC-Union also owns several physician practices and medical office buildings in Union County, including Union West Medical Plaza in Indian Trail.Services include pediatrics, internal medicine, Ob/Gyn, cardiology, general surgery, gastrointestinal, orthopedic, MRI, and urgent care services.

In May, CMC-Union began construction on CMC-Waxhaw Medical Plaza, which will open in 2009.CMC-Waxhaw will include a medical office building with physician offices and a 20,000 square-foot "healthplex" or free-standing emergency department to treat serious injuries and illnesses.CMC-Union also has plans to open a new urgent care center and physician offices in Wesley Chapel in 2009.

To meet the growing healthcare needs of Union County, CMC-Union is also preparing to embark upon the most significant renovation and expansion project in its history — an investment estimated to cost over $200 million.The project will include the expansion of the hospital's emergency department and women's health services, enhanced cancer care programs and services, expanded surgical capabilities, and the addition of an interventional cardiology program. The projects are expected to begin with the expansion of the emergency department this year and continue for years to come.

Union County residents are fortunate to have a second hospital nearby. Just west of the Union-Mecklenburg county border is Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, which provides another great option for healthcare for Union County residents.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews is a 102-bed community hospital that offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient health services. Located near the intersection of highways 51 & 74 in Matthews, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews serves tens of thousands of Union County residents every year.

Services include a newly expanded emergency department with 33 treatment rooms, Family Maternity Center with 24 labor-delivery-postpartum suites and a Level III Special Care Nursery, and advanced diagnostics and treatment options in the areas of cardiovascular, cancer and orthopedic care. Presbyterian Hospital Matthews also features a full-service medical library open to the public. The Health Library offers free services such as health information searches, support group listings and referrals, referrals to physicians and health resources, and monthly health programs. It also provides access to a comprehensive collection of consumer health and medical databases, as well as hard-copy medical publications.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews is recognized as one of the top community hospitals in the nation. In early 2008, it received 35 awards from Professional Research Consultants, an independent research firm that ranks some of the most well-known hospitals in the United States. Seven of these awards were "Top Performer" awards, distinguishing Presbyterian Matthews as number one in the nation in specific categories.

Presbyterian believes that residents should have access to quality care close to home. To accommodate the fast growing Matthews and Union County communities, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews recently expanded its Maternity Center, adding more labor-delivery-postpartum suites and doubling the size of the Hemby Special Care Nursery, which features board-certified neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners available 24 hours a day for high-risk pregnancies.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews is eager to be able to meet the needs of Union County with its continued support of The Wellness Center at The Monroe Aquatic Center.The Wellness Center offers the residents of Union County an opportunity to take advantage of professional services at little or no cost to the participant. The Presbyterian Hospital Matthews Wellness Center gives the Union County community a resource with access to two full-time registered nurses and services provided by licensed healthcare professionals. The programs and assessments include nutritional counseling/diet profile, doctor referrals, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure checks, exercise prescriptions blood sugar screenings, Wellness Profiles, and health seminars.

Union County is also home to a wide selection of licensed long-term care facilities providing a variety of services to residents.Long-term care facilities include: The Jesse Helms Nursing Center, Brian Center, Lark Park Nursing and Assisted Living, Monroe Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Monroe Manor, Elizabethan Gardens, Monroe Square Assisted Living, Union Park, and Woodridge Assisted Living.Alzheimer's facilities include Discovery Square (Special Care Unit) and Woodridge Special Care Unit.

Hospitals Serving Union County

Carolinas Medical Center - Union
600 Hospital Dr.
PO Box 5003
Monroe, NC 28112
704-283-3100
www.cmc-union.org

For physician referral information
call 704-283-3100.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews
1500 Matthews Township Pky
Matthews, NC 28105
704-384-6570
www.presbyterian.org

For physician referral information
call 704-384-CARE (2273).