Southwoods Health Transforms Itself into Network

BOARDMAN – When The Surgical Hospital at Southwoods opened in 1996, Ed Muransky and its physician owners had no idea of the growth and development that would occur over the next 25 years. 

Created as an outpatient surgery center to handle same-day surgeries and other procedures, Southwoods Health has transformed itself into a network of integrated providers and health care facilities “all working in concert to deliver some of the best health care in the Valley,” says Muransky, CEO.

“From the very beginning, Southwoods understood that its services had to have excellent quality and produce great medical outcomes. But our pursuit of perfection didn’t stop there,” he says. “We devoted significant time to developing a keen understanding of how patients wanted to be treated during their health care experience. Based on that feedback, the staff at Southwoods infused genuine care and compassion into everything they did to create a patient experience that is beyond compare.”

Southwoods used that shared vision to develop a network of more than 250 employed and affiliated physicians as well as a full range of facilities that range from diagnostic testing to its nationally recognized acute care hospital in Boardman.

Over 1,000 employees contribute to the delivery of health care at Southwoods. “Their unwavering commitment to excellence has earned the trust of the community and fueled our growth,” Muransky says.

One of Southwoods’ newest initiatives provides fast, easy access to medical care that is not urgent but still requires immediate attention. Southwoods Express Care is doing just that at its clinics in Boardman and Campbell.

Recognizing the important connections that exist between patients and their primary care physicians, Southwoods continues to recruit local providers to join its physician network. Based on this success, Southwoods plans to add more Express Care locations in the area, Muransky says.

“While the health care industry is always in a state of change, the past year was especially challenging as we all adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he says. “From the state mandate to cease elective surgeries in March to the supply shortages of personal protective equipment, 2020 was an exceptionally dynamic year.”

Patient encounters at the Express Care locations and Southwoods Imaging surged to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-related disorders. Diagnostic capabilities started with PCR testing, then expanded to rapid testing at Express Care. Southwoods Health is participating in the state’s distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine.

 As Southwoods prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary in June, the company’s high-quality, patient-focused care is recognized as among the best in the nation. The Surgical Hospital at Southwoods was once again a recipient of the 2020 Pinnacle of Excellence Award and the 2020 Guardian of Excellence Award. And the Surgical Hospital at Southwoods was one of three hospitals in Ohio to receive the Pinnacle of Excellence Award, one of 16 to receive the Guardian of Excellence Award and one of only two to receive both awards. 

“These awards are evidence that today’s health care consumers place tremendous value not only on the overall quality of services but also on being treated in a kind and compassionate manner by their caregivers,” Muransky says.

“In keeping with our commitment to promoting access to patient-centered, quality health care, Southwoods will continue to bring new services, technology and jobs to the Valley.”

Southwoods Health is owned and operated by the Muransky family and area physicians.