Skaggs name change part of strategic plan

“You’ll probably see a name change in the next several years,” Erixon told the group, noting that the name would reflect Skaggs regional service area. “I have to think we have already reached the regional hospital status.”

Skaggs’ primary service area covers all of Taney County and most of Stone County. Secondary service areas stretch into Boone and Carroll counties in Arkansas.

Erixon said Skaggs is reviewing a master site plan that calls for a $50 million to $60 million expansion in capital improvements during the next seven to 10 years. The plan could include a five-to-eight-story tower at Skaggs’ Branson campus on Business Highway 65 to house emergency, Ob/Gyn and radiology services.

Also at this location, the master site plan calls for the construction of additional surgical suites and the acquisition of property across the street for a new parking garage.

Skaggs’ main campus encompasses 22 clinics in Stone and Taney counties, including the Branson Heart Center acquired on May 1 and Mary’s Well House opened April 24 in partnership with Silver Dollar City Attractions.

In addition, staff and physicians moved into the new Orthopedic-Neurological Services Center in Branson the week of May 13.

Erixon said the health center aims to improve its 61.2 percent market share in Taney County to 70 percent. “Eighty percent is dominance in the market,” he added.

Hospital officials are recruiting about 10 physicians in 2007 and about 10 more in 2008.

Financially, Skaggs’ goal is to improve its cash flow of 3 percent to 6 percent in the next year and to 10 percent in three years. It also wants to increase its cash reserves by $12 million by fiscal 2010. The 177-bed, nonprofit health center earned $257 million in 2006 gross revenues.[[In-content Ad]]