QUINCY — A new surgical suite is slated for completion at Quincy Valley Medical Center by the beginning of June.

In the meantime, recently hired surgeon Gaston Cornu-Labat is available to conduct basic surgical procedures, said Director of Marketing Dick Burkenpas.

The endoscopy suite is going to be running at the start of June, with a new operating room for formal surgery being completed six to eight weeks later, he said.

"Steered toward minimally invasive surgery, Dr. Cornu-Labat offers a wide scope of practice to the community that includes diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery and a variety of basic gynecologic and urologic procedures," Burkenpas said.

Until the suite is complete, Cornu-Labat can perform only basic procedures such as skin-lesion removal, he said.

Hospital Board Chair Don Condit said the hospital lost its accreditation about three to four years ago, which led to the loss of surgery services. After making changes to the hospital, it is once again fully accredited.

Burkenpas noted the surgeon is available for consultation on surgical-care issues and to offer a second opinion.

"He firmly believes that providing information to empower the patients in their decision-making progress is a basic pillar of a healthy community, allowing the patients to be the architects of their own health," he said.

For more information, call Quincy Valley Medical Center at 509-787-3531.