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Quick Facts:
Fort Smith
Mercy announced the first phase of significant new investments in Fort Smith, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to meeting the evolving health care needs of the River Valley. Phase 1, which represents a portion of the planned project, 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.
These initial investments are part of a three-phase plan that will bring more than $60 million in total upgrades and enhancements to the Fort Smith community in the next few years.
“Mercy has cared for this community for more than a century, and this investment reflects our commitment to continue stepping up when the River Valley needs us most,” said Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Fort Smith Communities. “Whether it’s caring for patients or supporting our team, Mercy is here for the community.”
Phase 1 investments focus on expanding and enhancing key areas of care across the campus, including procedural services, imaging, clinics and inpatient spaces. Planned improvements are designed to support growing patient needs, increase access to advanced diagnostic and treatment services, and better accommodate short‑term care. Additional enhancements will strengthen laboratory and imaging capabilities, expand preventive services and update patient rooms to improve comfort, safety and the overall care experience.
Together, these improvements enable Mercy to expand patient access to vital services while continuing to deliver high-quality, compassionate care close to home.
Mercy leaders say the Phase 1 investments reflect both its ongoing presence in Fort Smith and its forward-looking vision for health care in the region. These investments are in addition to other recent Mercy Fort Smith projects, including an expanded cancer center currently under construction; a $186 million upgrade to the emergency department and intensive care that opened in May 2025, which added 22 additional rooms to the ER and 26 to the ICU, along with a new hospital entrance and a parking garage; a re-established endocrinology program; expansion of imaging, laboratory, therapy and cardiology capabilities and more. Additionally, Mercy is preparing to expand its Care Now Navigator program, enabling Mercy patients (and later, any adult 18+) to get help 24/7 for a variety of conditions.
Mercy’s roots in Fort Smith run deep. The Sisters of Mercy first arrived in 1853, establishing schools and caring for the sick, while the first St. Edward infirmary opened in 1905, laying the foundation for organized health care in the region. The current hospital location dates to 1975, and since then, Mercy has continued to evolve alongside the growing community it serves.
From introducing advanced technology to improving the patient experience and supporting those who provide care, these upgrades signal Mercy’s continued focus on meeting today’s needs while preparing for the future, said David Argueta, Mercy senior vice president and president of community operations.
“These investments build on a legacy that spans generations,” Argueta said. “Phase 1 is just the beginning. We’re committed to ensuring the Fort Smith area has the resources, technology and caregivers this area needs for today and for decades to come.”
Future phases of the investment will focus on additional facility enhancements, additional physician and caregiver integration, clinical expansions and technology upgrades, further strengthening Mercy’s role as a trusted health care provider for the River Valley.
