Washington Regional plans $60 million expansion, 125 new jobs

A major expansion to women’s health services at Washington Regional Medical Center is being planned with construction expected to begin later this month that will lead to 125 new jobs upon completion, according to Mark Bever, WRMC executive vice president and hospital administrator.

The $60 million project involves construction of a 100,000 square feet, five-story tower on the west side of the campus, adjoining the existing Johnelle Hunt Women’s Center. It will include additional operating room space, a larger neonatal intensive care unit, increasing from 12 to 34 beds, a new pediatrics space, more adult patient rooms, additional clinic space, a second helipad on top of the tower’s fifth floor, and a 350-space parking garage.

Bever said the Initial site work is expected to begin by the end of February. The addition is targeted for completion by late 2016. 

The contractor for the project is Robins & Morton, a construction and engineering company based in Birmingham, Ala. Andrew Garner, city planning director, said the WRMC project has been appoved by the City Planning Commission and is now in the construction review process for the building permits.. Bever said the process has begun through architectural and engineering planning sessions and work with the Arkansas Health Department and the city.

Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan said he was "ecstatic" when he first learned of the hospital's expansion.

"Anytime you see an expansion and an increase in jobs, it is a real benefit to the city, in terms of spending," Jordan said.

Bever attributed the expansion to growth in demand for hospital services, including an increase in adult patient volumes.

“The new facility will grow our ability to add new services to meet the needs of our patients and their families,” Bever said. “With Northwest Arkansas’ population continuing to grow, and birth rates steadily rising, the need for women’s and children’s services is increasing. Washington Regional has always made it a priority to expand to meet the needs of the community. 

Northwest Arkansas Council CEO Mike Malone recently said the region's population at 504,000 continues to grow by 24 new residents a day which includes new births. The hospital noted in its 2014 Report to the Community that a typical day in the life of Washington Regional there are eight babies delivered, 70 surgeries performed, 376 imaging studies produced and 6,500 electronic medical record logins completed for its patients.

Bever said it was still undecided on the name for the women’s health center but noted Mrs. Hunt’s legacy and longtime support of the hospital will not be affected by this project.

The Johnelle Hunt Women’s Center is housed in a 50,000-square-foot space on the west side of the hospital. It has a separate entrance. The facility provides care for women in all stages of life. The women’s center is home to HerHealth, which specializes in women’s health care through the practice of obstetrics and gynecology. The center’s community education program also includes classes on childbirth as well is educating women on breast care. 

Washington Regional is a 366-bed, acute care medical, originally built in 2002. This will be the second major expansion by the hospital. A $64 million expansion was completed in 2008 that included a new fifth floor and chapel, an expanded emergency department, the Pat Walker Center for Seniors, the Center for Support Services, and expanded kitchen and pharmacy facilities.