Madison County Medical Center (MCMC) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 11 to share the plans for the region’s newest hospital. The completed facility will house 67 beds and feature over 100,000 square feet; including an emergency department, intensive care unit, women’s service center and nursery, surgery and imaging centers, pharmacy, physical therapy center and much more.
“This groundbreaking is a culmination of our hard work, planning and overall dedication to all of the citizens of Madison County,” said Gary Newsome, President and CEO of Health Management Associates, Inc. (HMA). “The economic impact a new hospital will bring to the area is needed now more than ever. New hospitals bring with them a great multiplier effect; including the addition of pharmacies, new physicians and employment opportunities in the community,” Mr. Newsome continued.
In addition to featuring new equipment and services, the hospital will receive a new name and Mr. Newsome was on hand to unveil it. As one of five hospitals in the Jackson metro-area River Oaks Healthcare network, the new hospital will be named Madison River Oaks Hospital. The five hospitals that make up River Oaks Healthcare are part of Health Management Associates, Inc., the parent company of Madison County Medical Center.
“HMA invested in Madison County with the intention of doing what we do best, providing superior patient care in the communities we serve,” said J. Dale Armour, HMA Division 4 President. “This new facility is the realization of the promise we made when we first purchased the hospital in 2003. This is a proud day,” Mr. Armour continued.
“There is no question that we need a new hospital and those of us in public service and economic development are 100 percent for this project. It will not only expand the medical services in our community, but will greatly enhance our community from an economic standpoint,” said Mr. John Wallace, General Manager, Canton Municipal Utilities.
Superintendent of Canton Public Schools, Dwight Luckett shared a recent story about Madison County Medical Center. “Recently, one of our school buses was involved in an accident. The majority of the students were transported to MCMC for treatment. I was impressed with the professionalism shown by the physicians, staff and administration of the hospital. There was constant communication between the caregivers and the students’ families. The hospital staff provided our school leadership with timely reports and expressed genuine concern for the patients, families and the Canton Separate School District.”
The new hospital will be an excellent recruiting tool for physicians. “It is wonderful for the citizens of Canton and Madison County to have the opportunity to be served by a new state-of-the-art facility. This facility will enhance our services and improve care in general, said Dr. Louis Saddler, local internal medicine physician.
“Delivering quality and compassionate care in a new facility is our promise to our patients. We are committed to their health and well-being and that of our local community,” said Madison County Medical Center Interim CEO, Davis A. Richards. As part of Madison County Medical Center’s commitment to the local community, a donation will be made to Our Daily Bread at the groundbreaking ceremony. Our Daily Bread serves Canton/Madison County by feeding 200 people a day a hot meal at noon, including delivering 110 meals to homebound elderly and disabled citizens. They have a food pantry that serves women, children and the elderly on a weekly basis and are fully reliant on the donations from local churches, business and individuals.
“What we do would not be possible without organizations like HMA. We deeply appreciate this contribution at a time when we need it most from a group that has helped us in the past. Due to the current economic situation, this is a time when more and more people reach out to us for help. Our donations are at an all-time low. This is just another example of HMA joining us to help continue to serve in the Canton/Madison County area,” said Daphyne Cain, Director, Our Daily Bread Ministries.
