Hospital, construction execs talk about the resulting growth from hospital expansion

A $400 million hospital project completed more than two years ago has been the catalyst for major growth in Northeast Jonesboro, a hospital administrator told a local chamber group Wednesday (May 4).

Craig Earley, assistant administrator at NEA Baptist, and Scott McDaniel with Ramson’s Construction, spoke to about 100 people at the quarterly Jonesboro Chamber Power Breakfast about healthcare construction in the Jonesboro area.

The construction company, which built the press box at Centennial Bank Stadium, was founded in 1971 by McDaniel’s grandfather, Rufus McDaniel. McDaniel said his company has worked with NEA Baptist Hospital on several projects in recent years.

“We are blessed to have two great hospitals in this town. Not everybody has the kind of hospitals we have,” McDaniel said.

One of the recent projects the company has been involved in are expansions at NEA Baptist Hospital. The hospital opened a $400 million facility in Jonesboro in January 2014. Earley said an 11-bed, $1.7 million postpartum wing at its women’s center was built by Ramson’s last year.

“In today’s ever growing healthcare environment, it is important to stay out front on patient demand,” Earley said.

The hospital has built new office space for doctors, as well as a $2.4 million expansion at its MRI center in the past year or so. Earley said a key part of the process is doing construction projects while still keeping take of patients.

“As you probably know, a hospital never closes,” Earley said.

Mark Ward, director of facilities services with NEA Baptist, said the hospital took feedback from employees on the construction projects. Ward, who also spoke to the group, said healthcare is also technology driven, with tele-health, security and robotics an increasing part of the industry.

The construction also took into account the technology issue, Ward told the group.

Hospital officials looked at several issues, including accessibility during construction; making sure air quality is good with dust moving during construction as well as following state health rules and codes. The construction work has also added jobs to the local economy, Earley and McDaniel said.

The hospital has added 120 new jobs since the hospital opened, while the construction has brought contractors and subcontractors to the region.

Earley said the hospital’s construction has led to growth along Johnson Avenue.

“If you would have driven down Johnson Avenue, there was nothing there three years ago,” Earley said, noting new restaurants have been built while a five-story Marriott is being built across the street from the hospital. “We are excited. Everything is one stop. You can visit the hospital and your doctor, all under one roof.”