SHAMOKIN DAM — It took 360 days to complete but the Shamokin Dam Health Center has reopened after a fire ruined the entire interior. Since services have started in March, about 10 to 15 percent of patients have returned, according to Michael J. Dunigan, center director.
“I have full expectations it will be back to the level it was in two to three years,” he added.
An electrical fire March 30, 2008, destroyed the equipment and interior structure of the red building — a former barn located on the Old Trail — and forced Dunigan to gut the inside and start from scratch. Some exterior wood couldn’t be fixed from smoke damage, so Dunigan added a stone facade.
Once opened, the center offered the same medical assistance: family medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Dunigan was anxious after the year off because he had personally made 900 referrals for patients needing care after the incident.
“A lot of patients returned, but it’s not the response we wanted,” he said.
The new facility welcomes patients with warm yellow and brown colors, a friendly open waiting room and several medical offices throughout the building.
There are three full suites for family medicine, four chiropractic rooms and a large full floor physical therapy room filled with various exercise equipment.
The upstairs therapy room — brightly lit by numerous windows — is filled with treadmills, ellipticals, stretching tables and bicycles, but also offers some equipment Dunigan said isn’t found anywhere else in the Valley.
Strive Exercise Equipment limits the range of motion or exceeds the range of motion during strength training. He also uses anodyne therapy, an infrared light therapy device used to increase circulation and reduce pain, stiffness and muscle spasm.
In addition, Dunigan works with area companies and businesses when they hire new employees. The individuals receive a full neuromuscular scan through a large machine to complete a pre-employee evaluation. If they are then injured on the job, a new scan can be done to determine disability impairment.
Though the process has been long, Dunigan is happy with the result and believes his business will be back to normal within the next few years.
“We spent a long time getting here,” Dunigan said. “It’s been tiring, but we’re pleased with how the end product turned out. I’m OK with the response to date.”
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LIz Rohde/The Daily Item
Refurbished facility awaiting return of patients
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