Women suffering from eating disorders will no longer have to travel out of Utah to find a private health-care facility.
Ground has been broken for the Center for Change Inc., a private women's health-care facility to be located at 1790 N. State. The center, which is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 1996, will deal primarily with patients suffering from the eating disorders known as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.The center will contain eight semi-private rooms with baths, a family-style dining room, kitchen, common meeting rooms, family visiting rooms and professional offices. It will also offer individual, group and family therapy.
"We will be able to offer 24-hour inpatient care for 16 individuals, as well as day care and outpatient facilities for many more people," said Jeffery Anderson, business manager for the center.
With a staff of four trained psychologists and one medical doctor, the Center for Change is equipped to handle patients from throughout the Intermountain area.
The staff includes counseling psychologists Harold A. Frost, president of the board; Michael E. Berrett; Julie Beth Clark-Sly; and Randy K. Hardman. Dr. David K. Anderson is medical administrator and provider for the center.
"There is no facility of this kind, that we are aware of, closer than Arizona or California, so the need in our area is great," Frost said.
According to current clinical and market studies regarding eating disorders, more than 20,000 people along the Wasatch Front exhibit some characteristics of eating disorders, and fewer than 1 percent of them currently receive specialized treatment. Studies further show this area ranks second only to Los Angeles in the number of people with eating disorders.
Anorexia nervosa is exhibited by severe food restrictions to the body, while bulimia is binge eating, with or without alternating cycles of purging by self-induced vomiting, fasting or abuse of laxatives, diet pills or diuretics. Most individuals with these eating disorders recover with proper treatment, but occasionally, the disorders prove fatal.
DeLane Garrett of Kent, Wash., who is a major stockholder in Center For Change Inc., said he is excited to see such a comprehensive program become available in the Provo/Orem area. "I saw this as an opportunity to do something good in my life and perhaps even save a few lives." Garrett is a native of Provo and says he feels like he will be coming home.
In addition to the psychologists and medical personnel, the staff includes a business manager, sales and marketing coordinator, nutritionist, nurses, front office/billing manager and additional support staff.
For more information about the Center for Change, call 224-8255 or visit the current offices at 560 S. State Street, suite K-3.