A cutting-edge medical center is scheduled to open Monday in Lehighton.

That's when the St. Luke's Care Now in Lehighton, at 575 S. Ninth St. off Route 443, is set to make its debut.Services include St. Luke's Orthopedic Care; St. Luke's Cardiology Associates; OB-GYN Care Associates of St. Luke's; St. Luke's Spine and Pain Associates; St. Luke's Lehighton Medical Associates; St. Luke's Care Now; occupational medicine; walk-in lab; and walk-in X-ray.St. Luke's Care Now, the walk-in lab, and the walk-in X-ray will be open as of Monday. The other suites are scheduled to open June 26.The Lehighton facility marks the final of four projects, with the others located in West Penn Township, Nesquehoning and Albrightsville, according to Joe Bennett, partner/developer with Lehighton Development LLC."This has been a project in the works for nearly three years, and we are very fortunate that it is finally completed," Bennett said. "We will employ many local nurses, doctors, administrative personnel and have really increased the visibility of that intersection."Bennett said, "Our design team of architects and engineers, with input from St. Luke's construction management team, have provided covered overhangs which will make it so much easier to access the building when dropping off a loved one without having to bear the elements."We look forward to the community coming out to support this exciting grand opening, and want to thank the Lehighton borough manager, borough council, and all members of zoning, planning and electric company personnel," he said. "Everyone worked so well together."Dr. Robert Dolansky, Network Medical Director of Urgent Care Services, St. Luke's Care Now, said St. Luke's Care Now offers fast, convenient care for minor illnesses and injuries when your primary care doctor can't see you immediately.Dolansky urged patients to begin the check-in process from home by going to

www.stlukescarenow.org and choosing "Skip the Wait."He said the facility provides fast, convenient care for acute illnesses, including the common cold, fever and flulike symptoms, sinus infections, bronchitis and other acute ailments.Patients will receive care for sprains, strains, broken bones, dislocations, cuts, minor burns and animal bites, Dolansky said.Additionally, he said care for acute illnesses and injuries are provided faster, and at a lower cost than at an emergency room.Other advantages Dolansky cited are that most prescriptions can be electronically submitted to the patient's pharmacy of choice for their convenience, common prescription medications and diagnostic testing are available on site, and occupational medicine services are available to local employers on site.Dolansky said those who are experiencing severe life-threatening emergencies such as chest pain, shortness of breath or strokelike symptoms should call 911 or proceed directly to an emergency room. He noted their physicians do participate with the St. Luke's Care Anywhere online physician, virtual visit, telemedicine program. That link is

www.stlukescareanywhere.org.Dennis Kondash, Medical Director Information Technology and Provider Informatics, St. Luke's University Health Network, said that St. Luke's has partnered with Electronic Medical Record provider EPIC to provide in all its facilities the most technologically advanced medical information system available.Kondash said that EPIC will allow providers and ancillary services to share health information about patients in a secure and seamless environment.A grand opening will be held at the Lehighton facility from 10 a.m. to noon June 24, and will feature an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony, with light refreshments, activities, a tour of the facility and meet the staff.There will also be free health screenings, blood pressure screenings, and Dexa Heel Scans as well.For more information, visit stlukescarenow.org.