AFTON – The Afton Medical Center will soon have an expanded facility with which to serve the patients it draws from Chenango, Broome and Delaware counties, thanks to the efforts of the Afton Town Board and the financial support of New York State Senator Thomas Libous and NBT Bank.

“Afton and the surrounding communities are indeed fortunate to have local access to primary health care, particularly in light of the economic hardship experienced by a large percentage of the residents,” said Town of Afton Supervisor Bob Briggs, regarding the municipally-owned clinic at 25 Evergreen Avenue in Afton.

According to Briggs, the 48 year-old, 2,880 square foot building was purchased by the town in 1973. Since that time, the municipality has leased the facility to Dr. Stephen Dygert.

Over time, the practice has grown. Within the last few years, Dygert was joined in the practice by his daughter, Dr. Paula Dygert. Together, they see approximately 200 patients a week and employ a staff of 21, including nurses and a physician’s assistant.

In addition to providing primary medical care, they also have the facilities on site to do blood work, X-ray, EKG, bone scans and mammography, Briggs explained.

As a result of their success, however, the busy practice can no longer meet the needs of their patient load within the four walls of the existing facility.

“They just plain ran out of room,” the town supervisor reported. In fact, for the last five years they have rented a trailer to house some of the clinic’s clerical staff. According to the elder Dr. Dygert, they have also resorted to renting additional space at another location within the village.

Recognizing the need to expand the facility, town leaders began working to do just that. The result of their labors is a project which will add 1,440 square feet to the building’s existing footprint, as well as install a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. According to Dygert, the addition will actually double the number of examination rooms at the clinic from 3 to 6, as well as provide much needed office space.