The ribbon was cut on Wednesday for a new 430,274 square foot hospital at Fort Leonard Wood that will serve veterans in this region.
The hospital at the Pulaski County installation replaces a 1960s-era hospital that provides healthcare for soldiers and families in the Ozarks. JE Dunn Construction was the contractor.
The hospital will begin inpatient and emergency room services at the replacement facility, 4234 Illinois Ave., on April 7. Outpatient and ancillary services will follow, with all services fully operational by April 13.
The hospital serves more than 34,000 people and employs more than 600 staff. It is a drawcard for military retirees looking to retire in Texas County.
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL
The facility is divided into two sections — a hospital side and a medical mall side — designed to make it easier for patients to access outpatient clinics without navigating multiple floors.
Unlike the current six-floor hospital, the replacement facility is organized on three floors, with related services located near each other. Physical therapy will be adjacent to occupational therapy and chiropractic services. The hospital also includes a children’s waiting area and a coffee bar.
The facility features modern inpatient and outpatient care services, advanced diagnostic imaging and surgical suites, a healing environment designed with patient comfort in mind, and energy-efficient systems supporting the military’s sustainability goals.
FACILITY HIGHLIGHTED
Brig. Gen. Y.R. Summons, Medical Readiness Command West commander and Defense Health Network West director, said the hospital represents a new chapter in military healthcare.
“Today is more than the opening of a building — it’s the beginning of a new chapter in how we care for those who serve and have served,” Summons said. “We have a strong partnership emerging with our VA partners and this hospital stands as a promise: that the health and well-being of our entire military community will always be a priority.”
Col. Angela Diebal-Lee, General Leonard Wood Community Hospital director and commander, said the hospital is a symbol of commitment to service members and their families.
“This hospital is more than a building — it is a symbol of our enduring commitment to those who serve and their families,” Diebal-Lee said. “GLWCH ensures we can deliver safe, modern and accessible healthcare for years to come.”
The hospital’s name reflects the facility’s mission to provide care to all service members, retirees, their families and veterans. Construction of the new hospital reflects the Defense Health Agency’s investment in the health and readiness of its force and honors the legacy of Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood.
