The Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation announced Wednesday the public phase of its “5 South Surgical Services Capital Campaign” to remodel its Surgical Services Unit on the hospital’s main campus in Mountain Home.
To date, the foundation has raised $963,500 — more than half of its $1.7 million goal — thanks mostly to a $700,000 gift from the Baxter Regional Auxiliary.
The campaign has been underway since 2020, Baxter Regional Medical Center said.
“[The renovation] will allow all of our surgical patients to come to a floor where they’re going to get the best possible surgical care,” Baxter Regional’s Dr. John Neis said in a news release. “Having a state-of-the-art facility will allow us to recruit [the best physicians] nationwide and continue to provide the superb level of care that we already do.”
Founded in 1963, Baxter has 268 beds and sees patients from north-central Arkansas and south-central Missouri. It reported $221 million in net patient revenue in its most recent fiscal year, up 3.8% from the previous year, according to Arkansas Business’ most recent hospitals list, published in September.
Cromwell Architects Engineers Inc. of Little Rock is the contractor for the surgical center remodeling project, which involves adding six rooms and remodeling 26 others and the nurses’ station. The waiting room will also be expanded.
“This is a privileged opportunity for us to participate in an endeavor that will optimize wellness and patient experience for the foreseeable future,” said Jim Whalen, auxiliary president.
The foundation is committed to raising another $736,500 through a variety of gifts and naming opportunities. Gifts are tax-deductible and may be pledged over 5 years.