Crews lay final beam at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital

Construction crews last week laid the final beam at Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield, nearly four months after breaking ground at the property.

As part of the July 18 topping-out ceremony, rehabilitation employees and physicians, as well as hospital leadership, signed the final beam before it was raised carrying and American flag and an evergreen tree, a symbol of growth and recognition of construction crews, according to a news release.

Mercy broke ground April 2 on the $28 million, 63,000-square-foot hospital in southeast Springfield. The facility, which would have 60 beds and provide inpatient rehabilitation services for patients recovering from strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic injuries, is slated to open in April 2014.

The hospital represents a partnership between Mercy and Brentwood, Tenn.-based Centerre Healthcare and would replace services currently offered at Mercy Hospital Springfield, the release said.

The rehab center is nearby the $116 million, 200,000-square-foot Mercy Orthopedic Hospital, which is set to open for patients in mid-August and for surgery in mid-September, according to Mercy spokeswoman Sonya Kullmann. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled Aug. 29.[[In-content Ad]]