Monday, July 16, 2007

First You Dig a Hole: Groundbreaking for New Equine Hospital at Belmont Park

Construction has begun on the equine medical facility at Belmont Park. The ground-breaking ceremony was held on Friday afternoon.

According to project developers at IAEH, the scope of the project has grown substantially and the intended $7 million project has grown to more than $15 million, and the size of the facility has more than doubled. The facility will provide a wide array of diagnostic imaging, multiple surgical suites, treadmill endoscopy, full chemistry lab, and pharmacy.

The practice will be headed by Dr. James Hunt, who will oversee the practice; he currently cares for more than 60 percent of the Belmont Park equine population, according to IAEH.

Surgery will be enhanced with the services of Dr Patty Hogan. Dr. Hogan was the recipient of the 2005 President's Award for performing potentially life-threatening cranial surgery on Smarty Jones, affording that colt the opportunity to become a Kentucky Derby winner.

She also gained national recognition when she surgically repaired a hairline condylar fracture of the left front cannon bone suffered by multiple Grade 1 winner Afleet Alex.

Dr. Hogan intends to lend her talents to up and coming surgeons. The plan is to grow the practice from within and have young surgeons learn their trade under the tutelage of Dr. Hogan. The facility also would like to work closely with area veterinarians and will strive to become the top referral clinic in the northeast.

Fox Sports New York (FSNY) will feature IEAH Corporation's groundbreaking for the equine medical facility on its “Inside Racing” program which will air today at 6:30 p.m.