DIALYSIS services provider to open center in Sapulpa

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ A California-based dialysis services provider plans to build a center in Sapulpa, bringing 20 or more jobs to the city, officials said. <br><br>DaVita, the nation's second-largest

Saturday, August 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) _ A California-based dialysis services provider plans to build a center in Sapulpa, bringing 20 or more jobs to the city, officials said.

DaVita, the nation's second-largest provider of services for kidney failure patients, recently purchased a lot in a local industrial park, said Greg Pugmire, chairman of the Creek County Industrial Authority.

Headquartered in Torrance, Calif., DaVita treats roughly 41,000 patients through a network of 486 owned and managed dialysis facilities in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

The 16-station facility initially will serve patients who already use DaVita but must travel from the Sapulpa and Creek County area to do so.

DaVita officials expect to begin construction on the 5,500-square-foot facility late this month or in early September. Dialysis services should begin in March, John Roberts, a spokesman for the company, said. DaVita expects to open with 45 to 50 patients, he said.

``The biggest thing is that we want to make the commute convenient, so patients don't have to commute so far to Tulsa,'' Roberts said. ``We're excited about getting patients close to home.''

The dialysis center is scheduled to employ 20 to 25 people, Pugmire said.