DMH Board Recommends Quorum Court Approve Land Transfer to Doctors for Office Building
July 20th, 2009 by Joe Burgess
All 7 members of the board of directors of Drew Memorial Hospital unanimously approved a resolution encouraging the quorum court and county judge to support the sale and use of approximately 5 acres of land (located in the pine covered area north of the hospital) to be used as a medical office building.
Dr. Sydney Collins and Dr. Jeff Reinhart were present at last week’s board meeting, representing local dentist Tim Chase, who will also be a part of the venture. Dr. Michael Fakouri will also work out of the facility.
DMH and Drew County attorney Cliff Gibson told the group, “DMH has a history of selling surplus (medical complex) land to doctors, dentists, and optometrists.” Gibson added that this has been, “ongoing for years. You support your hospital by assisting nearby doctors. It’s how the pieces fit together.”
The proposed building, which was introduced in the February quorom court meeting, is expected to cost in the area of $4.5 million, be 2 stories, with 36,000 feet of space, and be made of brick and stucko, with a rock and glass appearance.
Dr. Collins presented drawings and answered question from the board.
Board member Mike Ward described the project as, “well thought out, and an excellent opportunity for the community”, adding it would help with the recruitment of other physicians.
County Judge Damon Lampkin commented that he felt it was “an asset for the community.”
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i am glad …we do need that…but we need a new hospital first
I am excited to see what the future holds once the new building is completed!
This is a physicians project. The hospital is not involved in the funding. I think it will bring more medical specialist and possibly new industry to Monticello. I congratulate our Doctors on their foresight. Everyone needs to be educated on the facts, not what they hear.
As a citizen of Drew County, I see many of our people forced up the road for procedures in Pine Bluff and Little Rock. It is nice to see that we are finally moving in a good direction. The recruitment of good physicians and specialists like Dr. Collins will generate much needed revenue for the hospital, and eventually fund a much needed expansion. I think a facility like this will be great for the area.