Officials praise ‘unbelievable’ efforts to bring Baptist to Crittenden County

Officials praise ‘unbelievable’ efforts to bring Baptist to Crittenden County

New hospital breaks ground in West Memphis

news@theeveningtimes.com

Two years ago, Judge Woody Wheeless wasn’t sure that he would ever see a day where they would be breaking ground on a new hospital.

Things looked grim when the former Crittenden Regional Hospital shocked everybody by announcing they were closing their for good and that they didn’t have a facility to replace it. “I was extremely concerned about the future of our community,” Wheeless said. “Not only was the hospital our leading health care provider, it was an important economic engine for Crittenden County. We needed a hospital in order to be able to survive and thrive.”

Wheeless and county officials, with the support of county voters who twice approved a tax to help build and operate a new hospital, embarked on a long, and at times uncertain, journey to find a new provider to bring health care back to Crittenden County.

The county looked at several health care organizations, but was overjoyed when Baptist Memorial Health Care agreed to be that new partner because of their reputation for providing exceptional health care in the communities they serve.

In a recent Medicare overall hospital quality service survey, three Baptist hospitals in Mississippi received four star ratings — Baptist Booneville, Baptist Union County, and Baptist North Mississippi.

“One of the things we love about Baptist is they have that quality of care running all through that network,” Wheeless said. “And that is very important to me that we have that in our community.”

Baptist President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Little said it was Wheeless’s passion which convinced Baptist to commit to Crittenden County.

“I appreciate the Judge’s commitment to bring a hospital to this community,” Little said. “He was so passionate about it. You couldn’t help but get excited about his passion. We wouldn’t be here it wasn’t for Judge Woody Wheeless.”

Others agreed that Wheeless deserved much of the credit for attracting another care provider to fill the gap.

“He’s done a good job pushing for a hospital,” said Justice Hubert Bass.

Justice Lisa O’Neal said Wheeless worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of Crittenden County to get a new hospital, but also singled out County Attorney Joe Rogers as well for his efforts.

“Woody and Joe were unbelievable,” O’Neal said.

By Mark Randall