After much planning and waiting, the professionals of Valley ENT, Mallette Dermatology and North Alabama Eyecare were finally able to host a grand opening and open house Friday for their new facility on Greenfield Drive in Athens.

Construction on the 16,150-square-foot facility started in January 2017, with the doctors moving into their new offices by the start of December. Due to a combination of holidays, weather and other setbacks, the official grand opening had to wait.

In the meantime, the doctors have enjoyed settling into their new offices. Dr. Gregg Moody of North Alabama Eyecare said the difference between the new suite and his previous space is “night and day.”

“We’ve been wanting for years to build our own building, so this worked out perfect for us,” Moody said.

Dr. Keith Hill of Valley ENT said the three practices realized years ago their offices, some of which were built almost half a century ago, weren’t enough to handle the technology and demands of modern practices.

“The technology, the instruments, all the surgical things we need were stuffed all over the place,” Hill said. “It was difficult to maneuver around, and it just led to a lot of inefficiencies.”

With that in mind, Hill said he, Moody and Dr. Steve Mallette of Mallette Dermatology decided to share the cost of purchasing land in east Athens.

“It’s just a big, booming area,” Moody said.

Hill, who has practiced in the area for about 14 years, said the trio has been through the growth and changes of their individual practices together, often using each other as a sounding board. They decided it just made sense to use the same builder and utilize some of the same concepts in designing and building an office space together.

“It’s been great,” he said. “We all kind of as a group take care of the common grounds, and then we each own our individual office space.”

Moody agreed. The new North Alabama Eyecare has more space, he said, meaning extra room for procedures, exams and equipment, such as a tear analyzer that will aid in the diagnosis of dry eye disease.

Another benefit is room to grow, something Moody said they didn’t have at his old office.

“It’s just a happier place,” Moody said. “Comparatively, there’s no question this is an upgrade.”

According to Hill, Moody’s not the only person who sees happiness in the new suites.

“I had a patient I’ve seen twice a year since I’ve been here, and he just kinda looked at me and shook his head a little,” Hill said. “And he said, ‘I’m proud of you, Doc. I just want to tell you your old office was sad.'”

Of course, Hill admitted, some patients have complained of the additional travel required for appointments, but most people have been pleased with the transition.

At the new Valley ENT, Hill said he’s able to decrease wait time and offer more in-office procedures, which he said will save people money. A press release for the open house listed sinuplasty, medical aesthetics and facial plastic surgery as procedures now available at Valley ENT.

“It’s already been a big help,” Hill said.

Local construction firm Martin & Cobey constructed the building, while William M. Boehme & Associates served as architects on the project. Hill said it was important for the project to stay as local as possible.

“We tried to make it a point to use all local people,” he said, “from the bankers to the builders and even some of the design, like our logo and signs out front.”

After all, it’s those same local workers who may one day be local patients of the doctor, who came fresh out of a residency in Texas to start life in Athens.

“You always worry as a specialist moving to a small town, but it’s great to grow with the community,” he said. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”