2022 Economic Impact Awards 30-74 Years in Business Finalist: Citizens Memorial Hospital

In four years’ time, Citizens Memorial Hospital and the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation have experienced explosive growth.

Michael Calhoun, CEO and executive director of the health care system, says that growth reflects the level of trust from the communities served by CMH.

“That was especially true during the pandemic, when health resources were scarce,” Calhoun says.

Since 2019, CMH has added many clinics and services, including Willard Medical Center and Walk-in Clinic, an 8,500-square-foot facility that offers a spectrum of care; the Willard Rehabilitation Clinic, a 3,200-square-foot facility to offer physical, occupational and speech therapies; Stephens Pharmacy, acquired after 45 years in business; a “telepharmacy,” located inside Ozarks Community Health Center’s new Urbana Clinic; a dermatology clinic; a new urology surgical clinic; Stryker’s Mako Robotic System technology for orthopedics; and a 50,292-square-foot long-term care building for the Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility.

Calhoun says the Willard Clinic was a success right out of the gate.

“That introduced CMH to a new community that hadn’t used us as much before,” he says. “We will continue to look at the needs of a community and how we can provide services.”

To attract and retain employees, CMH also has made several improvements to its compensation package. The health system has a payroll and benefits budget of $137.5 million annually, and it offers a zero-premium option for health and dental coverage, a variety of physical and mental wellness programs, personal finance education and no-cost access to local investment advisers, an on-demand pay program that allows for next-day pay for hours worked and a $12.65 minimum wage with increased pay ceilings for all employees.

CMH also continued to support community programs and nonprofits in eight counties. It partnered with schools in Bolivar, Buffalo, El Dorado Springs, Osceola and Stockton to provide on-site counseling and therapy services to students and wellness programs for adults ages 55 and older through the CMH Senior Health Center in Bolivar. 

Overall, the health system contributed $650,000 in 2021 to support community programs and projects.

CMH’s trajectory for growth continues as it is finalizing plans for a $77 million hospital expansion and renovation that will allow it to provide state-of-the art services across the spectrum.