The recent closings of some local ob-gyn practices have left many women in need of a new doctor. With only one local practice left, UPMC Hamot saw the need, and is making a major new commitment here. In October, they opened Magee Womens Specialty Center in the Summit Plaza at Peach and West Gore Road and it's only the beginning of big plans.

November 1, they will open another location in Vineyard Primary Care on North Pearl Street in North East. In December, they plan to add a west side location in the former Esper Medical Center on West Ridge Road. Women are pleased at the new physician options.  Maura Wiltse did not know her physician's practice had closed until she tried to call for an appointment.  She learned of the new practice from her granddaughter.  "I'm so happy to find one in Erie, I didn't want to have to go to Pittsburgh or Buffalo.

Bart Matson, DO, one of the physicians seeing patients at the new practice, views it as an extension of Magee Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, with the full resources of their many sub-specialists on everything from fertility and high-risk pregnancy to urogynecology and oncology.  "We use a great deal of tele-medicine so patients don't have to travel and our relationships with the subs-pecialists are very strong," Dr. Matson said. 

The first practice opened with outpatient gynecology services, but they plan to go "full scope" soon, seeing obstetric patients next week and having hospital privileges in November.

The new practice has three full and three part time physicians now, but will have eight physicians on board after January 1.  They plan a full midwife practice as well. 

In about a year, plans are to renovate the first floor of Magee Womens UPMC Hamot (formerly the Hamot Womens Hospital) and relocate the Peach Street location there.