Fort Smith, AR — Mercy Clinic-Fort Smith announced a collaboration with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) to construct a new $7.9 million, 13,500 square foot medical clinic on ACHE property, across the street from the proposed Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Chaffee Crossing, Barling, Ark. Architectural plans of the clinic include 28 exam rooms, x-ray, triage, laboratory and conference space to accommodate recently approved residency program training requirements. Preliminary employment numbers include eight physicians, three APNs and approximately 30 support staff. Mercy Clinic and ACHE have set aside ample property for expansion of additional Mercy facilities.
“Mercy Clinic couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this collaboration with the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education and the proposed Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Our foundress, Catherine McAuley, understood the importance of educating a new generation of men and women to care for those in need. She educated, trained and equipped her caregivers with the skills they needed to continue her mission. Today, that mission continues. Our newest clinic will not only care for the acute needs of patients in our community today, it will also be a teaching ground for a generation of students that will be the face of tomorrow’s health care. Mercy is honored to help prepare those who will someday care for our neighbors, parents, children and friends,” stated Cole Goodman, President of Mercy Clinic.
“The presence of such a prestigious clinical and medical training facility at Chaffee Crossing emphasizes our commitment to the highest quality, sustainable growth possible for our development,” says Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority executive director, Ivy Owen. “It sets the standard for health care services we want to establish in the future and reflects the level of recruiting we aspire to achieve across all industries.”
“ACHE is dedicated to using the 228 acres at Chaffee Crossing to further its mission. We are thrilled to collaborate with Mercy Clinic and other members of the Fort Smith and Barling communities to improve health and access to care,” stated Kyle Parker, CEO of ACHE.
The location of the clinic will be on Chad Colley Boulevard in Barling, across the street from the proposed medical school which is currently under construction. Construction of the clinic will begin in early 2016 and take approximately nine months to complete.
Mercy is the seventh largest Catholic health care system in the U.S. and serves millions annually. Mercy includes 45 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
