1st Choice Healthcare broke ground on their soon to be 10,000 square foot facility located in Highland at the former Artisan Grill building.
The current facility is 5,000 square feet but according to CEO Brigitte McDonald, the existing frame will be utilized but a $2.5 million dollar investment will be made for remodel and expansion.
“All of this will be gone, we will just use the metal frame but everything else will come down. It will be 10,000 square feet and we provide healthcare services, primary healthcare, pediatrics, immunizations, women’s health and we provide healthcare for all no matter your inability to pay,” McDonald said.
McDonald said the completion of the new facility is slated for later this year.
“Right now, we are looking at December of 2024. We are excited about our new building project that will have a positive impact on the community, patients, and employees. This clinic will provide affordable, quality medical healthcare to all,” McDonald said.
The facility will include 12 patient exam rooms, lab and procedure room, X-ray, four provider offices, eight nurses and four provider workstations as well as administrative offices and more.
When asked about 1st Choice Healthcare’s initial investment in the community, the clinic in Ash Flat, will remain at this time.
“Currently this is an expansion, we will have Dr. Brook Miller who will be joining the Highland Clinic,” McDonald said.
During the ceremony, remarks were made by representatives from Tim Maddox, AIA Principal, with DEMX Architecture and Bobby Gosser Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of Baldwin Shell Construction Company.
Highland Mayor Kyle Crawford also took a few moments to comment on the addition to his city.
“I just want to say, a $2.5 million dollar project coming to Highland, we are beyond excited. This is going to be great for the community and the surrounding areas,” Crawford said. “People need choices in healthcare, and this is an awesome deal. Sharp county is advancing daily in healthcare, and this will be a giant step toward that goal .on behalf of the city I just want to say we’re surrounded by great communities and great cities; you could have chosen anywhere, and you chose highland. We understand that we appreciate that and thank you very much. Anything we can do to help just let us know.”
1st Choice Community Development Coordinator Curtis Hogan provided a little of the history regarding 1st Choice and how it came to be.
In 1991, there was a group of concerned citizens in Corning Arkansas who knew they needed healthcare. They began to do some studies and used the Primary Care Association Community Heath Centers of Arkansas and did these studies and they went with a community health center. A grant was written in 1992 and Corning Area Healthcare was incorporated. March 7 1994 we opened and had less than 10 employees and one provided,” Hogan said.
Over the next two decades, the health provider continued to expand, making the decision to re-brand in 2014. “… We went from 10 employees in the 90s to 190 employees now and over 18,000 people receive services from us. We see patients with or without insurance… If you don’t have insurance, we will see you based off of a sliding scale. Now we’re opening here in Highland Arkansas and we cannot wait to see what other partnerships and what else is coming.”
McDonald noted that area colleges and their outstanding nursing programs also played a role In the provider’s decision to expand.
“The nursing program here is also another draw for us. It’s a great program and some of their nurses use our facilities for training, this will open the door for more work opportunities close to home,” McDonald said.
Lauren is a an award-winning journalist who decided after 10 years of newspaper experience to venture out. Hallmark Times was born.
