Ozark’s access to care gets a boost
More resources available with Mercy Hospital expansion
OZARK — Residents in Ozark and the surrounding area in western Arkansas have a greater array of local health resources available to them thanks to the recent expansion of Mercy Hospital Ozark.
The hospital, located at 801 W. River St., has undergone a $5.13 million, 14,759-square-foot addition that includes expanded physical therapy space, new equipment and space for additional outpatient services, such as cardiac rehabilitation. That’s in addition to a new covered emergency room entrance that opened several weeks ago.
Teresa Williams, director of nurses at Mercy Hospital Ozark, said the expansion will increase the community’s access to care.
“We’re, of course, a rural facility, so it’s just that much more difficult for our patients in our communities to get to the bigger facilities sometimes,” Williams said. “It provides the ancillary services that are needed for a healthy population.”
Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, said Tuesday at an open house and blessing ceremony for the remodeled facility that it’s been “very well-documented” that rural hospitals across the country are struggling.
“Since 2010, there have
been 124 rural hospitals closed,” Gehrig said. “You look in Missouri, they’ve had six hospitals close. Oklahoma has had eight. Texas has had 20 hospitals close. But that’s not our story here today.”
Gehrig said in addition to the 124 rural hospitals that have closed, there are “probably 10 times that many” hospitals that are just trying to make payroll and are trying to do anything and everything they can to stay open.
“Again, that’s not our story here today,” Gehrig said. “This is a very unique experience, to be part of a rural hospital investment and opening and blessing and setting a foundation for success and a bright future for years to come, and I hope we all relish that.”
Gov. Asa Hutchinson was among the speakers at Tuesday’s ceremony, and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge was present.
Williams said it is hoped that all of the expansion will be open to the public by today. Mercy broke ground on the project in November 2018.
The Fort Smith-based Studio 6 Architects designed the project, according to a release from Mercy. SSi served as general contractor, and Crafton Tull and Myers Engineering carried out the roles of civil engineer and structural engineer, respectively.
Franklin County also provided $1.47 million for the project, with Black Hills Energy donating an additional $25,000.