CMH plans Dec. 16 open house for new $7M dialysis center

An open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned tomorrow in Bolivar for Citizens Memorial Hospital’s new multimillion-dollar dialysis and nephrology center.

The community is invited to the event at the CMH Dialysis Center, set for 1-3 p.m., according to a news release. The $7.3 million, 9,353-square-foot facility is at 1160 W. Parkview St. At the open house, the public can tour the center, meet staff and learn about the comprehensive kidney care services offered.

“The CMH Dialysis Center represents another important step in our mission to expand access to specialized care for the communities we serve,” CMH CEO Michael Calhoun said in the release. “We’re proud to offer this modern, patient-focused facility that will make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals living with kidney disease.”

While the dialysis center construction is complete, Tamera Heitz-Peek, CMH director of marketing, said its start of operations – originally planned for Dec. 16 – is delayed. An updated opening date is still to be determined, officials say.

“The state and (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) are still processing the paperwork for the center and unfortunately, this will delay the start,” she said via email.

J.E. Dunn Construction Co. was general contractor for the project with Kansas City-based Pulse Design Group Inc. as general architect and frankZdesign LLC as landscape architect, according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. Built just west of the health system’s medical campus, the CMH Dialysis Center includes patient care areas, labs and office space.

Hospital officials say patients will receive care in one of 16 hemodialysis chairs at the facility amid scenic views and a spacious atmosphere. There will also be patient rooms for home peritoneal and hemodialysis education, in addition to a waiting room and staff support areas. The CMH Nephrology Clinic, newly opened in September 2024 at the Douglas Medical Center, will move into the building in January, according to the release.

Led by board-certified nephrologist Dr. Russell Davis, the nephrology clinic provides diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of chronic kidney conditions. Officials say the CMH Dialysis Center and nephology clinic will bring coordinated, patient-centered care under one roof.

“Our goal is to provide patients with the highest quality kidney care in an environment that promotes comfort, dignity and trust,” Davis said in the release. “This new facility allows us to combine advanced technology with compassionate care, giving patients the support they need to manage their kidney health effectively.”