Memorial Health says primary care will stay in Plain City; two services moving to Jerome Township

At the Dec. 8 Plain City Council meeting, Memorial Health officials corrected earlier public statements and clarified which services will relocate and which will stay in the village.

Melanie Ziegler, vice president of community engagement for Memorial Health, and Spence Fisher, executive vice president, said the prior notice that suggested all Memorial Health services were leaving Plain City was inaccurate. Ziegler said physical therapy and occupational health services will move to a new Jerome Township location but that primary care services and laboratory services will remain in their current village facility. She disputed the use of the term "medical desert" in prior communications, saying the term was inaccurate given existing services in Plain City and the surrounding area.

Ziegler and Fisher told council that the inaccurate wording created rumors that required staff time to correct; they asked for earlier communication from the Village so Memorial Health could avoid confusion. Mayor Jody Carney said the Village will increase communication with Memorial Health and emphasized the council’s focus on residents’ access to care as the central Ohio region grows.

Memorial Health noted the new Jerome Township site is about seven miles from Plain City and said the larger facility allows space for equipment such as x-ray machines that were not feasible in the existing office. No formal action was taken by council at the Dec. 8 meeting; Memorial Health said it remains committed to providing personalized care to Plain City residents.