Mercy to break ground on emergency department near ortho hospital

Mercy Springfield Communities is set to break ground this week on a new emergency department next to its orthopedic hospital in Ozark.

A 10 a.m. ceremony on Oct. 6 is scheduled for the 3050 E. River Bluff Drive project, according to a news release. The project would be located on land Mercy owns at its south-side campus at U.S. Highway 65 and Evans Road.

"The project is expected to be complete in 2025 and will put Mercy in a strong position to serve its growing patient base around the Ozarks in a new and innovative way," officials said in the release.

David Argueta, president of Mercy Springfield Communities, discussed plans for the new emergency department during Springfield Business Journal's 12 People You Need to Know live interview event in July. At the time, he said the project would cost between $20 million and $32 million.

"It is all about access where people need you," Argueta said in the 12 People interview. "And the good part is when you need a higher level of care ... the orthopedic hospital's right there. If you need something at the main hospital, we have immediate transport ready and available."

The facility would be a Level 3 or 4 emergency department, Argueta said at the time.