By Krista Duhon
news@joplinglobe.com
GROVE, Okla. — The president of Integris Grove General Hospital beamed as he showed off a glimpse at the new $56 million hospital, which is set to open in December.
Greg Martin, along with project superintendent Dave Hulstrand, led reporters on a two-hour tour of the 175,000-square-foot, two-story hospital.
“The technology within Integris Grove General Hospital is as good as any other,” Martin said, noting that the appearance of the 46-year-old hospital may have caused some to question the quality of care. “We employ some of the finest board-certified physicians in the state, and our services are as good as you can receive in Tulsa or Oklahoma City.”
Kristi Wallace, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said the new operation will bring all elements of Grove’s hospital back to a central location and streamline care for patients who previously had to seek hospital services elsewhere.
“There was just nowhere to grow in the old facility,” Wallace said. “We could not go up. We could not go out. We were boxed in.”
The new site sits on 40 acres where hospital foundation members and hospital officials are hoping to see an administrative building and a cancer center.
Martin said the realization of the new hospital has arrived ahead of schedule because of a remarkable grass-roots effort that started with the Integris Grove Hospital Foundation.
“Plans to build a new facility were built into a long-range plan, but the community said, ‘We don’t want to wait,’” Martin said. “They launched a $5 million fundraising campaign and drew the support that caused Integris to revise its plan and make this possible.”
At a glance
-- The new hospital has nearly twice the square footage of the old hospital.
-- The building was constructed to accommodate a full third story in the future.
-- The hospital has more emergency room space, private patient elevators and enhanced accommodations for visitors, including outdoor dining areas and spacious waiting rooms.
-- Construction began in June 2008, and work is currently on schedule and below budget.
-- There are 58 oversized patient rooms, 42 medical-surgical rooms, 10 women’s health rooms, four operating rooms and six private ICU rooms.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Officials show glimpse of new Grove hospital
- Local News
-
-
Prosecutor’s office asking state if campaign used county assets
The Jasper County prosecuting attorney’s office is asking the Missouri attorney general’s office to investigate whether Sheriff Archie Dunn has used the assets of his office for his re-election campaign.
-
Service dogs participate in ceremony recognizing them for their work
The Carl Junction post office has a reputation for promoting the release of special postage stamps in unique ways. Wednesday was no different.
-
Volunteers from Tuscaloosa paying it forward in Joplin
As the teens moved farther along the bleachers they were painting, splotches of bright red paint kept appearing where it didn’t exactly belong. On the ground. On their arms and legs. On their clothing.
-
Webb City mural taking shape at corner of Main, Broadway
Last Thursday, the north wall of the Middlewest Building at Main Street and Broadway was white. Eighteen gallons of paint and a whole lot of red Solo cups later, it will be a completed community mural depicting the Webb City Farmers Market.
-
Filing deadline approaching for county offices in Kansas
The candidacy filing deadline for those seeking Kansas county offices that are subject to the Aug. 7 primary election is noon Friday.
-
Economic development strategies emerge from Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative meeting
More than 30 people shared ideas Wednesday on ways to promote economic development in the seven counties that are participating in the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
-
Mike Pound: Singing the praises of music teacher
When I was in sixth grade, Sister Susan, the music teacher at St. Xavier’s Catholic School, walked over to me while I and my fellow students were singing at Easter midnight Mass and said a bit loudly: “Mike, don’t sing.”
-
Electric bill to drop $6 a month in Joplin
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by The Empire District Electric Company, based in Joplin, to lower the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the bills of its electric customers.
-
Mo. Legislature officially ends its 2012 session
Missouri's annual legislative session has officially come to a close.
-
Strong to severe storms forecast for Joplin region
Storms developing across the central and southern plains this afternoon are expected to migrate into the Joplin region this evening.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Prosecutor’s office asking state if campaign used county assets
