Mercy Fort Smith announces $60 million in facility, service ‘investments’

For the second time in seven days, officials at Mercy Fort Smith are making public the hospital’s “commitment” to the Fort Smith metro. The St. Louis-based hospital system on Tuesday (April 7) announced $60 million in investments to happen over the next three years.

Mercy Fort Smith on April 1 issued an “Open Letter to the Residents of the River Valley” from Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Fort Smith Communities. The letter focused on the “significant investments” the St. Louis-based hospital system has made in the Fort Smith metro in recent years, including a recently completed $186 million expansion that included 64 new ICU beds and increased ER capacity from 29 to 50 beds.

Mercy’s two press releases follow community uncertainty over health care access following news that Little Rock-based Baptist Health will close its labor and delivery operation and end obstetric services at its Fort Smith hospital on April 28. The closure will result in the loss of about 40 jobs, with the hospital saying it now has about 20 births a month. Availability of other Baptist Health services in Fort Smith remains uncertain after comments by a hospital system official who said broad hospital operations may be curtailed with services limited to emergency room and surgery center operations.

Baptist Health has denied that it will end inpatient hospital services in Fort Smith, but has declined to specifically address what Baptist Health officials have said privately and publicly. Baptist Health officials have said the hospital will spend $20 million at the Fort Smith location “over the next few years,” and the investment is part of a “transition of its Fort Smith campus.”

Tuesday’s information from Mercy was short on details, saying the first phase of work will “expand services, upgrade facilities, and enhance technology designed to improve patient care and support Mercy caregivers while increasing access for patients. It will also include the integration of new physicians and caregivers to Mercy.”

Hospital officials plan three phases with the $60 million total.

Mercy said work beyond the first phase will include more “facility enhancements,” hiring more physicians and other personnel, and “clinical expansions and technology upgrades.” Laboratory and imaging, preventive care, and updated patient rooms were also listed by Mercy as areas of future investment.

“Additionally, Mercy is preparing to expand its Care Now Navigator program, enabling Mercy patients (and soon, any adult 18+) to get help 24/7 for a variety of conditions,” Mercy said in Tuesday’s press release.

In a response to questions, Mercy said it plans to help those who may have been depending on Baptist Health for labor and delivery services.

“As plans continue to take shape, Mercy remains prepared to support patients impacted by recent service changes in the region, including expectant mothers who were previously planning to deliver at Baptist Health,” Mercy noted in a statement sent to Talk Business & Politics. “Our experienced obstetrics teams are ready to provide safe, comprehensive maternity care throughout pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period, ensuring patients continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.”

Mercy also said in the statement that a workforce in all fields will be critical to its expansion plans.

“While plans are still in the early phases, work is expected to move forward over roughly the next three years,” Mercy noted. “As planned projects get underway and are completed, more details will be available. To support this growth, Mercy is actively hiring across a wide range of roles, including physicians, nurses, clinical caregivers and support positions, although staffing needs continue to be evaluated as plans develop. Expanding our workforce is a critical part of maintaining access to care and strengthening health services in the River Valley.”