Arkansas Children's Hospital to Develop Springdale Facility

Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH; Little Rock, USA) has unveiled plans to develop a new hospital campus in Springdale, which will involve an investment of USD 184 million during the next five years.

The new 21,000 m² facility will comprise an emergency department/urgent care center with 21 exam rooms, 30 clinical exam rooms, and 5 operating rooms. It will also feature imaging capabilities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) and X-ray, and a range of diagnostic and care services, including infusion, pulmonary function testing (PFT), electroencephalogram (EEG), echocardiography, neurophysiology, audiology, and rehabilitation. The hospital will also include a helipad with a refueling station that will serve the two new Angel One helicopters at ACH disposal.

ACH currently includes 370 beds and is staffed by 500 physicians and 95 residents in pediatrics and pediatric specialties. The new campus, which will add 24 inpatient beds, will be built on a 150,000 m² plot near Interstate 49, donated by David and Cathy (George) Evans and Gary and Robin George, who are the grandchildren of C.L. George, Founder of George's (Springdale, AK, USA), a fully integrated poultry processing company that spans multiple states with more than 4,700 employees.

“We are going to blanket the state with services that will improve access to pediatric care and improve the health of children throughout our state,” said Marcy Doderer, president and CEO of ACH. “There is no cookie-cutter approach to planning the delivery of excellent, comprehensive children's health care. Each area of the state will require a different approach. Based on conversations with physicians, business leaders and families, we know there are immediate needs right here that must be addressed.”

“The ultimate scope and success of the project will depend greatly on generous individuals, corporations and foundations supporting the construction effort,” added Robert Steele, MD, senior vice-president of ACH. “We are very grateful to Cathy and David Evans and Robin and Gary George for their vision and commitment.”

The population of Northwest Arkansas has reached 500,000 residents, and it is estimated that the pediatric population in the region is growing two- to three-times faster than in other parts of the state. At least 27% of the children in the region live in poverty, and half grow up in low-income households. The proposed site location will mean that 70% of Northwest Arkansas residents will be able to reach ACH's services within 30 minutes or less.

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Arkansas Children's Hospital
George's