Texas County Memorial Hospital hosted State Rep. Don Wells on Friday to discuss the importance of the hospital to the county. Wells toured the hospital and met with Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive officer.
“State lawmakers’ decisions have a profound impact on our ability to serve the community,” Murray said.
Murray and Wells discussed the effect the hospital has on the communities it serves beyond providing medical care.
“Rep. Wells understands the value of the contributions TCMH makes to the health of our community as well as the importance of TCMH as an economic asset,” Murray said.
Murray pointed out that TCMH plays “a unique role” in the community as an employer, as an economic engine and as a provider of a safe and a healthy community.
“Hospitals have been a bright spot in an economic downturn,” Murray said. Although TCMH had a down year in 2009. Business at the hospital picked up in 2010. TCMH is also planning an $18 million expansion and renovation project that will begin in 2011.
TCMH employed more than 340 people in 2010, contributing more than $13 million in payroll to the local economy.
In 2010, TCMH also recruited three additional physicians to work in Texas County. One primary care physician working in a rural area generates $1.2 million in revenue and creates 23 jobs.
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