Mercy to add ER near south-side orthopedic hospital

Last edited 1:14 p.m., July 19, 2023 [Editor's note: David Argueta's title has been updated, as has financial information.]

Mercy has expansion plans in the works at its south-side campus.

David Argueta, president of Mercy Springfield Communities, discussed plans for a new emergency department on land located near the health system's orthopedic hospital at U.S. Highway 65 and Evans Road.

He was interviewed yesterday by Springfield Business Journal Executive Editor Christine Temple during the 12 People You Need to Know event at The Backlot, Alamo Drafthouse Springfield's restaurant and bar.

"It'll be able to take care of anything that you need to take care of in the emergency department," Argueta said, noting the facility would be a Level 3 or 4 facility. "We're excited to bring additional services."

Argueta said the facility has a timeline of 16 to 24 months.

"We are currently in the beginning stage," he said.

After the interview with Temple, Argueta said the project would cost between $20 million and $32 million.

"It is all about access where people need you," he said. "And the good part is when you need a higher level of care ... the orthopedic hospital's right there. If you need something at the main hospital, we have immediate transport ready and available."

Mercy will be using land it owns in the area for the project.

"Someone did a really great thing and bought a lot of land that's in and around the orthopedic hospital. That's the land we'll be using," Argueta said.

The land is separate from a roughly 27-acre nearby tract that Mercy recently had been considering for purchase but ultimately decided against, according to past reporting.

Argueta, who this month marked one year with Mercy in Springfield, said the health system increased its profit margin 6 percentage points during that time to 3%. Mercy Springfield Communities recorded $5.1 billion in revenue last year, according to past SBJ reporting.