Mercy Fort Smith is moving forward to build a cancer center on its main campus at 7001 Rogers Ave., with a ceremonial groundbreaking set for Friday (Aug. 8). Officials with Cherokee Nation, which has given $8 million to the center, will be part of the event.
Tahlequah-based Cherokee Nation in February announced the $8 million gift to Mercy for the center that was first confirmed in July 2022.
“This project will improve Mercy’s ability to care for cancer patients throughout the region by adding advanced technologies, expanding the care team and bringing Mercy’s cancer services to one location on its campus in Fort Smith,” noted a statement with Mercy’s Wednesday (Aug. 6) announcement.
The St. Louis-based hospital system in the Wednesday groundbreaking notice provided no info about size, cost, services, and timeline about the center. An image provided with the press release indicates the center will be near or attached to the hospital’s existing area that now houses cancer care services.
The City of Fort Smith recently issued a $3.4 million building permit for “foundation/utility relocation and site work for cancer center” at the 7001 Rogers Ave., address. The permit was issued to St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Companies.
Ryan Gehrig, president of Mercy Arkansas Communities, acknowledged in July 2022 that Mercy was planning to build a cancer center in Fort Smith. His statement came after officials with the Mercy system said part of a $500 million expansion in Northwest Arkansas would include a modern cancer center in that metro area.
The Fort Smith hospital campus site was not the only choice in consideration for the cancer center. In January 2024 the Fort Smith Planning Commission approved rezoning of almost 10 acres at 8100 Phoenix Ave., for a planned Mercy cancer center. According to Planning Commission documents, the rezoning allows “development of a two-story 111,000 s.f. (square foot) multi-specialty medical clinic along with the other uses listed within the land use chart.” However, Mercy officials decided to not build the cancer center on that property.
MAJOR EXPANSION
Mercy officials in early May opened parts of an extensive $186 million expansion of the main hospital. The work, which began in February 2022, expands the emergency department from 29 to 50 rooms, with ICU beds rising from 36 to 64. The overall expansion will add 161,000 square feet to the hospital.
The new ER will allow for about 25,000 more patient visits per year and include “special considerations for infectious disease and behavioral health patients.” The ER expansion includes a five-room secured area for behavioral health patients that is designed for patient and co-worker safety.