Many medical services and facilities in Hot Springs and the surrounding area have become institutions, but they continue to upgrade and build in order to provide the most advanced care and treatment possible.

Faith-based, not-for-profit Mercy Hospital, formerly St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center, has served the health care needs of Hot Springs and surrounding communities since 1888, making it the second-oldest hospital in Arkansas.

Mercy features an Emergency Department with a Level 2 Trauma Center designation and is home to the region’s only da Vinci Surgical System and the Mercy Telestroke Program, providing around-the-clock stroke assessment for patients.

There are 27 area clinics associated with Mercy, which has the area’s only fully-integrated, electronic health record system. The Mercy campus includes the Mercy Heart and Vascular Center, the Mercy Cancer Center, the Mercy Women’s Center, the Mercy Diabetes and Wound Center and the Mercy Surgery Center.

The Mercy Cancer Center offers the latest technological advances and includes radiation oncology and chemotherapy, Stereotactic Radiosurgery and NanoKnife in one location, making it the only center of its kind in South Central Arkansas.

The Women’s Center of Excellence is the first in the area to offer the revolutionary imaging technology of the Selenia digital mammography system. It includes the Mercy Pregnancy Care Clinic and resource library, educational classrooms, and a comprehensive breast center.

In Hot Springs Village, Mercy offers the convenience of two full-time and five rotating physicians and a comprehensive imaging center featuring the latest in digital mammography, CT and MRI.

National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs is a full service, acute care facility that has served the five-county area since 1954.

With more than 700 employees, NPMC is one of the largest employers in the Hot Springs area and consistently makes equipment and facility improvements that in the past 12 months include:

Technological upgrades and facility expansion to the Heart and Vascular Institute at NPMC in 2011, including the use of intravascular ultrasound and fractional flow reserve to enhance diagnosis and a new, five-bed cardiac catheterization post procedure unit.

Arkansas SAVES (Stroke Assistance through Virtual Emergency Support), provided in partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences uses high-speed video communications to provide emergency treatment to stroke victims around the clock.

Senior Care, is a specialized unit for geriatric patients requiring behavioral health care for an emotional illness or behavioral symptoms.

The Breast Center features the latest in digital mammography technology, computer aided detection equipment and the Multicare Platinum Prone Stereotactic Breast Biopsy System, making it the premier center for diagnostic breast care.

Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia provides comprehensive care through inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, emergency services. It also offers some of the latest technology like the eICU, which provides constant video, audio and vital sign monitoring.

New healthcare developments in Arkadelphia include “The Plaza” at Twin Rivers, opened in late 2011, which serves assisted living levels 1 and 2.

Garthright Medical Plaza, a $1.5 million, privately funded medical plaza, will house Compassion Woman’s Clinic, Baptist Health Family Clinic, Vision Source of Arkadelphia and Baptist Health Physical Therapy.

Clark County Charitable Health Services, opened in 2009 and funded strictly by donations and grants, help provide basic health care for Clark County residents without any form of insurance, including MediCare and Medicaid.

Malvern and Hot Spring County are served by the Hot Springs County Medical Center. Founded in 1929 as County General Hospital, the 72-bed facility offers a broad range of medical, surgical, diagnostic and rehabilitative services.

Home Health Care offered by the Medical Center offers in-the-home care including nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and home health aides.