A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 16 marked the formal opening of the new 70,000-square-feet health care hub of White Plains Hospital Physician Associates of Scarsdale at the former Lord & Taylor department store building in Eastchester. The new facility at 750 White Plains Road has a Scarsdale mailing address and incorporates advanced imaging and diagnostic services as well as physician offices and exam rooms covering myriad specialties.

White Plains Hospital Physician Associates of Scarsdale ribbon-cutting at Eastchester. Photo by Peter Katz.

Among the physicians practicing at the location are specialists in allergies, cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, neurology, obstetrics and gynecology, pain management, pediatrics, internal medicine, urology and more. Echocardiograms, pulmonary function, and stress testing are among the tests that can be performed at the site.

Adjacent to the White Plains Hospital facility is a Burke Rehabilitation outpatient therapy center. Both Burke and White Plains Hospital are members of the Montefiore Health System.

Susan Fox, president and CEO of White Plains Hospital, noted that the process of developing the new facility was delayed somewhat because after working out an arrangement to lease space at the former Lord & Taylor department store to be transformed into the medical facility the hospital was advised that additional space had become available and the hospital could create a larger facility.

“We’re just so thrilled and so excited to be able to have our staff to be able to work in a facility like this and more importantly to have our patients be treated in a facility like this,” Fox said. “So much work has gone into this; obviously it’s been reimagined. We all know this building as Lord & Taylor. It’s been a long road but one well worth it.”

Susan Fox speaking at Eastchester. Photo by Peter Katz.

The hospital’s executive vice president for ambulatory and physician services and development Frances Bordoni said, “This beautiful 70,000-square-foot facility is the home to more than 40 doctors. We have every specialty you can imagine all right here. By expanding access to a broad range of specialties in one convenient location we’ll be able to easier take care of our patients. They’ll be able to make their appointments for referrals that they might have gotten from their primary care doctor … as well as their imaging if they need mammography or they need ultrasound. All of that can be done right here.”

Bordoni noted that patients also will find comfort in knowing that the hospital is just about four miles up the road in White Plains so if they need inpatient or emergency services they will be readily available.

Cardiologist Gregory Pontone, associate medical director of ambulatory quality and physician services at White Plains Hospital asked those attending the opening event to imagine a patient visiting their primary care provider at the new Eastchester facility.

“They may come in for a routine checkup but suppose their provider hears an irregular heartbeat or determines that additional imaging is required to rule out a diagnosis,” Pontone said. “Because cardiology and advanced imaging are just down the hall this patient can often receive a quick consultation the very same day with a follow-up appointment already in place before they leave. That’s what timely coordinated care looks like and it’s exactly what this center was designed to deliver.”

State Sen. Shelley Mayer noted that patients want to feel that everyone is on their side and committed to caring for their health and because of the care offered at the new facility patients can leave with just that feeling.

“This is the game changing experience for the patients that we represent here as elected officials, the opportunity to have the highest quality integrated care, the integrated service, the beautiful setting, and the feeling that health care is here to make us healthier and better regardless of our circumstances,” Mayer said.

Exterior of new White Plains Hospital Physician Associates of Scarsdale facility in Eastchester. Photo by Peter Katz.

Eastchester Town Supervisor Tony Colavita said the town is delighted that White Plains Hospital Physician Associates of Scarsdale is at the former Lord & Taylor site.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins praised what he described as the work White Plains Hospital does under the Montefiore umbrella to ensure that great health care is available in Westchester County.

The chairman of White Plains Hospital’s Board of Directors, William Null, said, “Between his beautiful new Eastchester center and the hospital expansion that is currently underway in White Plains it’s clear that we’re committed to delivering the best health care services in the region with world class physicians and programs.”