CANTON -- Several members of the Board of Directors of the St. Lawrence Health System and Canton-Potsdam Hospital gathered Feb. 24 during an ice storm to sign an I-beam that will be used to top out the new medical office building being constructed just east of the village on U.S. Route 11.

“This is a central location for medical specialties in high demand, such as allergy and immunology, endocrinology, and rheumatology,” SLHS CEO David Acker said. “Improving access to these specialists will improve the health of county residents as well as the county’s economic health, since many people are still leaving the area for this highly specialized care,” he said.

Framing of the building is expected to take place in the month of March, with interior work proceeding toward occupation of the building pending final approval from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

Offices in the building will include allergy, endocrinology, and rheumatology specialties, head and neck surgery (ear, nose, and throat), orthopedic hand surgery, orthopedic pediatric surgery and physical and rehabilitation medicine.

“Healthcare is changing,” said Acker. “We have developed concrete plans to meet the challenges of the new healthcare environment and for the good of our residents we’re moving ahead with those plans.”