An Update for the River Valley

To our friends, neighbors and families across the River Valley: 

Over the past few months, healthcare in our region has experienced unprecedented change. When key services in our community were reduced earlier this year, we recognized immediately that access to care for thousands of patients would be affected. At Mercy, our responsibility was clear: we needed to respond quickly, thoughtfully and decisively to ensure patients and families throughout the River Valley continue to have access to the care they need close to home.

Since March, Mercy has committed more than $43 million toward a comprehensive, multi-phase plan designed to expand access, increase capacity and strengthen healthcare services across our communities. While the demand for care has grown faster than anyone anticipated, I am proud to share that we have made significant progress in expanding services, recruiting physicians and caregivers, investing in critical equipment and preparing for the future healthcare needs of our region.

These efforts are only the beginning. Several major projects are currently underway, including additional inpatient bed capacity, expanded laboratory services, new MRI capabilities, upgrades to our cardiac catheterization laboratories and future enhancements to cardiac/pulmonary rehabilitation services. Planning has also begun for important future investments in vascular services, endoscopy, interventional radiology and women & children services, including the neonatal intensive care unit and labor and delivery areas. These projects represent a long-term commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our growing communities well into the future.

Cancer care remains one of our highest priorities. Last year, Mercy Fort Smith celebrated the groundbreaking of a significant expansion of the Mercy Cancer Center following a successful $45 million fundraising effort led by Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith. This transformational project will expand access to oncology services, add next-generation radiation treatment technology and provide patients with even greater access to comprehensive cancer care close to home. Temporary expansion efforts are already helping us care for more patients while the larger project moves forward toward its opening in 2027.

Across our clinics and outpatient services, significant growth continues. New oncology, cardiology, orthopedics, family medicine, pulmonology, pediatric and ear, nose and throat services have either opened or expanded over the past several months. An additional Convenient Care clinic and outpatient physical therapy services are also planned. These improvements are helping patients access care more quickly and closer to where they live and work.

None of this progress would be possible without the people who deliver care every day. Since March, more than 640 new caregivers have joined Mercy, including more than 200 hired from Baptist Health. We have welcomed experienced healthcare professionals from across the region while also achieving record success in recruiting newly graduated nurses.

In addition, Mercy has attracted physicians from around the country to practice in Fort Smith, strengthening access to specialty services. Over the past three years, Mercy Fort Smith has welcomed 69 new physicians whose specialties include oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine, surgery, women & children services, medical specialties, primary care and operational areas including intensive care and emergency medicine. Looking ahead, Mercy expects to add 42 more physicians during the next 12 months, including three in neurosciences. This growth is complemented by the addition of 77 advanced practice providers in recent years, with 12+ more expected to join in the coming year, helping Mercy expand access to specialty and primary care services.

We are equally focused on preserving and strengthening the future healthcare workforce. Mercy has partnered with educational institutions and residency programs to ensure physician, nurse and other health professional training opportunities remain strong in our community. These investments help create a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals who can continue serving our region for years to come.

We are also incredibly grateful to report that Mercy Fort Smith has been awarded $19 million through the Arkansas Rural Health Transformation Program. While we are awaiting final project details, this funding reflects the confidence state leaders have placed in the work being done to strengthen healthcare access across our region. Their support will help accelerate projects that directly benefit patients and families throughout western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma.

While much has been accomplished, we know there is still considerable work ahead. We will continue pursuing additional investments, expanding capacity and improving access as we work to meet the increasing healthcare needs of our communities. Our commitment remains steadfast: to provide exceptional, compassionate care close to home and to ensure our region has a strong healthcare system for generations to come.

While we have tremendous work ahead, I hope this update provides clarity on our path forward and confidence in our ministry and leadership support to respond to this unprecedented situation. 

Thank you for allowing Mercy to serve you.