By Jennifer Edwards
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Construction begins Monday on a short-stay surgical hospital and cardiology center at a medical campus along Interstate 75, which is also the new location for an emergency medical helicopter service serving a 150-mile Tristate area.

HEALTH FAIR

UC Physicians at University Pointe in West Chester Township is holding a health fair and open house Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be tours of the precision radiotherapy center and dialysis clinic, free health screenings, refreshments and first-aid kits. There also will be prize giveaways including Botox treatments, full-body massage and Reds tickets. Details: 475-8010.

The helicopter, serving an area from Dayton, Ohio, to Northern Kentucky to eastern Indiana, began operating off a helipad at UC Physicians at University Pointe last week, said John Gillespie, director of marketing and development.

Gillespie made the announcements Tuesday, addressing more than 200 business leaders at a Southeastern Chamber of Commerce lunch at the Wetherington Golf and Country Club.

The hospital will have four operating rooms and eight rooms for overnight patients, Gillespie said.

"This facility will allow us the benefits of a focused surgical hospital and being able to admit patients," he said.

"We believe this area can support a neighborhood community hospital. There is not a hospital within 10 miles in any direction."

The helicopter, which is operated by Health Alliance at University Hospital, carries a three-member crew: an emergency physician, an emergency/critical care nurse and a pilot, said Dudley Smith, director of University Air Care.

He expects that approximately 400 helicopter runs a year will be made out of University Pointe.

Since 1986, University Hospital has had two helicopters based at its Corryville location.

"But with the growing population in the Butler/Warren county area, we thought it would be a quicker response time to put a helicopter up in the Butler County area," Smith said.

The helicopter travels to University Hospital, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center or Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.

E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.