St. Bernards Medical Center of Jonesboro, Ark., has started a $130 million construction project that will add a surgical and intensive care tower, reconfigure the emergency department, consolidate cancer services and expand the facility's capabilities. The hospital expects to complete the renovations in about 2020.
The new tower will contain surgical suites, support services, a critical care unit and shelled space for future growth. The emergency department renovation will improve the flow of that unit, according to a press release. St. Bernards also will bring all of its cancer services to a single location in a separate building on campus — currently, some services are located at a cancer center on the St. Bernards campus, while some are a few blocks away at a clinic. After renovations are complete, all such services will be located in the center. The project also will add cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs. It will improve the facility's main entrance, lobby and admissions area.
St. Bernards leaders said the project demonstrates the facility's commitment to remaining in downtown Jonesboro. It will continue to serve as the anchor of a mile-long stretch of roadway with the area's largest concentration of health-related businesses.
St. Bernards' bed count of 438 will not change with the project.