Loyola University Health System next week makes its biggest foray into the south and west suburbs when it opens a 105,000 square-foot outpatient health center in Burr Ridge.

The parent of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, which has lately been evaluating potential merger partners to grow its entire health system, has in recent years been spending capital to push into the growing south and western suburbs with outpatient care facilities staffed by Loyola specialists and subspecialists.

The Loyola Center for Health at Burr Ridge, which opens Monday, will be staffed by 70 full and part-time physicians who will provide primary care, rehabilitation services and specialized care that includes orthopedics and neurology, Loyola executives said. The project cost about $48 million.

bjapsen@tribune.com