Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Pledges $5 Million To Mercy Health System

ROGERS, AR (April 20, 2004) – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has pledged $5 million to help launch Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas’ capital campaign to transform healthcare. Payable over four years – $2 million this year and $1 million over the next three – this donation will finance new technology, implement new operational systems, learning labs, and a technology information center that will help bring world-class healthcare to northwest Arkansas.

“At Wal-Mart, we believe that we have a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of our communities,” said Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president and director of the Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation. “As the growth in northwest Arkansas continues, we want to do our part to ensure that the facilities our associates and customers need are available.”

The Mercy project represents an extraordinary effort to transform the way healthcare institutions function. “It is more about core issues such as patient safety and workplace simplification as well as the application of information technology to fundamental processes such as medication and supply chain management than it is about replacing an old building with a new one,” explains Susan Barrett, CEO of Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas. “Wal-Mart has provided vital leadership to our region, the nation, and industries world-wide by demonstrating the impact and benefits that can be achieved through the effective use of information technology. I praise Wal-Mart for recognizing that healthcare is such an essential part of community infrastructure. I thank them for being willing to help us accomplish what we believe needs to be done for the good of the people.”

Executive Director of Development, Clark Ellison, applauded the organization for their community spirit. “This generous pledge from Wal-Mart underscores their commitment to northwest Arkansas. Mercy is so blessed to be a part of this great community with world-class volunteers and corporations like Wal-Mart.”

Wal-Mart's pledge helps put the capital campaign, with a goal of $40 Million, right at the $12 Million mark. Capital campaign chair, Carmen Lehman, added, "The knowledge that Wal-Mart recognizes the need for revolutionary change in Healthcare is extremely encouraging. The capital campaign cabinet and board of advocates are working diligently to tell our story so others will realize just what a quantum leap forward this is for medicine. What a blessing to live in Northwest Arkansas and to learn from the brightest and the best. Thank you so much, Wal-Mart!"

With a July 2007 anticipated opening, the Mercy medical campus will be funded through operational gains, investments and reinvestments totalling $100 million and a $40 million capital fund-raising campaign. The Wal-Mart commitment puts the campaign over the 25 percent mark of its goal.

Mercy’s 21st century medical campus will be anchored by a 380,000-square-foot medical center with 200 beds and emergency services. The campus will include care in cardiology, orthopedics, neurological, and outpatient services. A medical office building to accommodate 90 physicians will complete the campus.