MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WFXR) – On the evening of Wednesday, December 11, Doctor David Seamon of the Children’s Medical Center Martinsville (CMCPEDS) posted on the center’s Facebook page something not many people saw coming.
After planning to close down for good on January 1, an anonymous mother stepped in as a consultant and prepared to keep the center open through at least the end of 2024.
The center took out a temporary loan that has yet to be formalized. With the loan, it plans on adding mental health services for children and evening hours to accommodate working parents. It also wants to renew its vaccine program.
“It’s a leap of faith for us to say that,” Doctor Seamon said. “We all want to work toward that goal, but I’m just going to have to make some smart business decisions to pull it off.”
According to Doctor Seamon, the community gave a lot of positive feedback after hearing the news.
They said it’s relieving to know they don’t have to travel too far to find a different pediatrician.
“It took a lot off of us because otherwise we would have to go to Danville or Eden, North Carolina to find doctors that would help us out,” Deborah Lampkin, a foster parent in Martinsville, said. “We don’t have a lot in our area so for them to leave, it would’ve been devastating for a lot of people.”
It’s those same people who Doctor Seamon is thankful to keep seeing.
“To the patients now, I’m just grateful for them because they’re the reason I’m here,” he said. “I would just say thank you, I really appreciate you and keep on coming to see us.”