Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas Board of Trustees votes Unanimously to Begin $140 Million Medical Complex

ROGERS, AR (May 23, 2002) – Mercy Health of Northwest Arkansas announced today the beginning of construction for a $140 million regional health care complex along New Hope Road and I-540 to meet the growing health care needs of Benton County and the Northwest Arkansas region.

“We are committed to bringing world-class health care to the region,” said Susan Barrett, President/CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. “Our decision to build this new health care campus is the result of a careful evaluation of the population growth and medical needs in the county and consultation with business and community leaders.”

Plans are well underway for the complex, which will be anchored by a major medical center, approximately 380,000 square feet with 200 beds, private patient rooms, emergency and trauma services. The center will include world-class care in cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurological, rehabilitation and outpatient services. A physician office center, approximately 120,000 square feet will also be located on the campus. Additional facilities will be added as the needs of the region develop. The design and development phase has begun with full campus completion expected in 2007.

Barrett said Mercy Health’s current hospital facilities and physician office space are serving our area well, but the expected population growth will require additional space to develop new services, accommodate new health technology and recruit specialized providers.

“Our local Board and Sisters of Mercy Health System is taking a step beyond the present to prepare for the needs of this region for the next 50 years – a vision of the future for Northwest Arkansas,” Barrett said.

Families will be the biggest beneficiaries of the new medical facilities, she said, because they will no longer need to travel long hours away from home and work for all their medical needs. “The finest physicians, health care workers, service and treatment will be available to them in Northwest Arkansas.”

The site for the medical campus is the southeast corner of the intersection of New Hope Road and I-540. The property includes a linear strip of 75 acres of land that lies adjacent to I-540 . The property was donated to Mercy Health System from the late Evelyn Rife.

“Mrs. Rife’s intent when she donated their farmland to Mercy Health four years ago was to leave a legacy in her husband’s honor that would benefit the community where they had lived their entire life,” said Rob Brothers, Board Chairman for Mercy Health. “Their gift has become the foundation of a 21st century medical complex serving the people of Northwest Arkansas.”

Raymond Burns, president of the Rogers/Lowell Chamber of Commerce, said the timing is perfect to begin building a new medical facility in Benton County. “We anticipate a 50 percent population growth in Benton County within the next 10 years, with 250,000 people living here and requiring services,” he said.

Clark Ellison, executive director of development for Mercy Health, said the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees is fully committed and supportive of this endeavor. Carmen Lehman of Lehman Properties will help spearhead a capital campaign for the development.

“Northwest Arkansas has experienced tremendous growth in virtually every segment of its population,” Lehman said. “We are blessed to live in a community with some of America’s – and indeed the world’s – greatest companies and to learn first-hand what it takes to achieve success. Our community enjoys a strong economy, growing population and unparalleled opportunity that drives the need for our new hospital.”

David Matthews, Mercy Health System board member, echoed Lehman’s enthusiasm for the project. “I’m confident this will be a win-win-win situation for everyone in Northwest Arkansas. Our workforce in Benton County is multi-generational and multi-cultural, spanning five generations, so the healthcare needs are dramatically different. Our new services will not only offer the latest treatment for all age groups, but also concentrate on wellness programs to keep our community healthy. These enhanced and expanded services will also be an asset in employee recruitment for Benton County employers.”

According to Barrett, Mercy Health has a long commitment to faith-based, community service and to Northwest Arkansas. It started with the arrival of the Dominican Sisters fifty years ago and it continues today with the physicians and co-workers of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas.

Over the past seven years Mercy Health has reinvested more than $102 million in technology, recruitment, facilities and expansion of services. In addition, the health system provided $6.1 million in charitable care for individuals without the ability to pay in fiscal year 2001.

“A commitment was made 52 years ago to the ministry of health and healing for all God’s people in the communities we serve,” Barrett said. “Our plans for a new medical complex continues that commitment well into the next 50 years.”

Dr. Stephen Goss, a Bentonville physician and Mercy Health board member, applauded Mercy Health’s commitment to bringing the latest medical care and technology to Benton County, which will result in the recruitment of highly skilled physicians and clinical staff to the area.

“This announcement is just the beginning of exciting medical advances for this region,” said Dr. Gary Neaville, Mercy Health’s physician executive. “As a physician, it is really great to be part of making this happen.”

Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas, a not-for-profit faith-based health system, provides healthcare services to residents in northwest Arkansas and southeast Missouri. The System includes St. Mary’s Hospital, 11 locations of Mercy Medical Clinics, Mercy Health Center and recent expansion of the Mercy Heart Group. Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas is a member of the Sisters of Mercy Health System. The Sisters of Mercy Health System operates hospitals, physician practices, outpatient clinics, health plans and related health and human services in a seven-state area including Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas is governed by a local Board of Trustees that includes Rob Brothers, Chairman; Dr. Steve Goss, Dr. William Swindell, Dr. Harry Harmon, Rev. David McKay, Lisa Ray, David Swearingen, David Matthews, Susan Barrett, Sr. Annrene Brau, RSM; Sr. Mary Anne O’Brien, RSM; Sr. Rachelle Riley, OP., and newly elected trustees Dick Trammel and Dr. James Arkins.