Curtesoy of the American Press
Doris Maricle
Construction is nearly complete on Allen Parish Community Healthcare’s new $15.9 million surgical care facility which is expected to open next month.
On Monday, Chief Executive Officer Jackie Reveil showed off the over 22,000-square-foot facility which hospital officials say will expand healthcare services for the community and provide more specialty care.
“This will open so many more doors for the community to assess healthcare especially for those services which have been lacking in the community,”
The project is the first phase of a three-phase project to expand services and improve medical care for the mostly rural area of Allen Parish.
The new facility, which is being built just west of the existing hospital building, will feature an expanded emergency department with a triage room and six patient rooms.
It will also include two operating rooms with a capacity to add two additional operating rooms if needed.
Other features will include surgical suites, a GI suite for endoscopy, labs and radiology departments including state-of-the art mammogram equipment. The project will also include a new lobby with coffee bar and entryway which will be connected to the existing hospital.
“This will improve the health and wellness of our community and allow them to save time and money without having to go out-of-town to receive medical care,” Reveil said.
The new facility is expected to be completed by Sept. 9 pending final inspections from the state fire marshal, Office of Public Health and Department of Health and Hospitals.
Hospital officials said the expansion should allow for the addition of a cardiologist, ENT doctor, ob/gyn and orthopedic services.
In all, almost 20 new jobs including doctors, billing staff and pharmacy technicians are expected to be created by the project, according to Reveil.
Sen. Heather Cloud and Rep. Dewith Carrier recently presented the hospital with $1 million in capital outlay funds from the state to assist with the purchase of $3 million in equipment for the new facility.
“….Rural hospital challenges are significant, but with the support and forward thinkers of our leaders we will be able to provide much needed services for our community, allowing for long-term growth and success in Allen Parish,” Reveil said.
Future plans for the facility include expansion of behavioral health services with construction of an 8,500-square-foot behavioral health unit. It will include 24 beds, a dining room, physical therapy, occupational therapy and group therapy.
The hospital also hopes to add more medical surgical and ICU beds, along with physical therapy services in the future. Future plans also include adding an outpatient dialysis unit.
A nearly $5 million rural health clinic was opened adjacent to the hospital in 2023. The clinic includes six physicians and three nurse practitioners and exam rooms.