Modern Medicine and a Partner for the Cause

So there you are again; wearing a wax-lined paper gown on a paper-draped exam table. Your clothes piled on a plastic chair next to the door. Posters detailing the progressive stages of ear infections and skin cancer decorate the walls. A box of rubber gloves, a decanter with cotton balls, another with tongue depressors, a box of tissues; you’ve taken inventory six times. With nothing to read except the label on the hand sanitizer bottle you wait for another uncomfortable discussion about why you’re there to see a stranger that will become more focused on the protocol of paperwork than looking in your eyes when you describe your symptoms.

Is this modern medicine? When did we go from lollypops to drug samples?

One doctor in Naples doesn’t think this is ideal healthcare, and that’s why his story is so important.

While Dr. Gregory Leach began practicing medicine over 20 years ago in Naples using the same knowledge, tools and resources that most doctors use, he couldn’t satisfy a developing dream to blend all the underlying factors that contribute to total wellbeing into one prescription until now.

The opening of a new medical facility for Advanced Medical Center was an opportunity for Dr. Leach to make a difference in the lives of those who worked with him and those that sought his service.

“As a healthcare provider and wellness advocate, it was important that I model what I was asking my staff and patients to adopt; health on the outside, and health on the inside,” said Dr. Leach.

With support from his wife Sally and a dedicated and trusting staff, Dr. Leach decided to build his idea of a modern medical facility that would not only redefine how healthcare is provided, but also be a catalyst for how businesses impact and respect the environment.

“We had outgrown our offices so it was time to look at our options,” said Dr. Leach. “We could open satellite offices, but that tends to create a disconnect between staff, patients and doctors. We could lease, but that meant moving outside our geographic scope and adapting our needs to a building – not vice versa.”

The Leaches wanted a state-of-the art medical facility, but they also wanted to improve energy and water efficiency, increase patient comfort, eliminate unnecessary waste, reduce toxins, streamline maintenance, and operate with minimal impact on the environment as possible.

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NBC-2 News January 2008

Doctor builds "green" primary care center

View the video.

The Forum (CCMS Member Newsletter)
January 2008

CCMS Member Builds His Dream: An Eco-Friendly Facility
Take a dedicated doctor that has a vision to create a new standard of patient care and mix in a little enthusiasm and support from his wife and staff and now you've got one great recipe for success. That's how it began, and many in the community agree that Dr. Gregory and Sally Leach have accomplished an amazing feat with their state-of-the-art medical facility in a particularly challenging time.

"When it became obvious that we had outgrown our offices, Sally and I looked at our options," said Dr. Leach. "We could open satellite offices, but that always creates a disconnect between staff, patients and doctors. We could lease and build out, but that meant moving outside our geographic scope and adapting our needs to a building — not vice versa."

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Naples Daily News December 2007

Advanced Medical Center to show cutting-edge clinic to public.

"The contemporary two-story building at 1250 Pine Ridge Road embraced wellness for both patients and employees, where eco-friendly and patient-friendly principles were incorporated at every step during the 2.5 years to bring the project from concept to completion."

Promoting good health and being environmentally conscious are equal partners at Advanced Medical Center in North Naples.

From the recyclable material in the furniture to pharmaceutical representatives being told that paper-wasting marketing flyers are forbidden, the primary care center is cutting-edge "green" in the local medical community.

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Naples Daily News July 2007

Advanced Medical Center

Construction has been completed on the two-story, 28,000-square-foot Advanced medical Center at 1250 Pine Ridge Road. Dr. Gregory Leach of Advanced Medical Center said his practice occupies the entire first floor of the new facility. The building's owner, Logical Investments LLC of Naples, will occupy a 2,500-square-foot office suite on the second floor. An additional 3,600-square-feet of medical space and 5,400-square-feet of office space are available for lease. D. Garrett Construction of Naples is general contractor for the project. The building's environmentally friendly design provides for natural daylight throughout 70 percent of the building. Other conservation features include energy-efficient electrical systems including lighting, appliances and air-conditioning units. Exterior features include sloped walls, projecting window walls and horizontal sunscreens, and the landscaping was designed to include all native vegetation requiring minimal water and fertilizer.

Architect's comments: This medical office building designed for a prominent local doctor and his wife incorporates a family practice for their clientele, new walk-in patients, urgent care and occupational medicine, such as drug screening and company physicals.

The building is organized around two intersecting corridors. The top-lit, double height main entry lobby along the southern bisecting corridor serves the family practice while granting visitors access to additional lease space at each floor.

The exterior features sloped insulated aluminum panels, and pre-cast concrete panels with coquina-shell finish to further distinguish the geometric volumes. Projecting window walls and horizontal sun screens add dimension to the façade.

This two-story building, with more than 28,000 square feet, allows this 15,000 square foot practice ample room to grow and change as it evolves.

AIA jury comments: Clean forms and medical-like aesthetic through elegant use of materials. Forms clearly define the program. Nice interplay of volumes.