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McCune Brooks Hospital Brings Quality Healing to Rural Missouri

Carthage, Mo. - In January, the new McCune-Brooks Regional Hospital opened in Carthage, leading the pack in a new era of rural heathcare in the Midwest. This replacement facility's unique features include glass paneling and a beautiful location over-looking a pond. The facility, built by JE Dunn Construction and designed by HMN Architects, was created to integrate nature into the healing process, making it more enjoyable for patients and guests. The orientation of the bed and locations of furnishings, artwork and other room amenities were carefully crafted, so that families are able to effectively participate in the patient's care. Portions of the windows extend down to the floor, letting in natural daylight and allowing patients to enjoy the exterior courtyard, which includes an elaborate stream leading to a large pond on the south side of the campus. Each room is equipped with a flat screen television and space for a small refrigerator, so that families feel more welcome, and their stays are less stressful.

The new, 142,000 square foot, replacement hospital has a steel frame structure with brick veneer and stone accents. With 60 inpatient beds, the hospital provides emergency/urgent care, trauma, imaging, women's care, patient rooms, rehabilitation and physical therapy services for Carthage and the surrounding communities. JE Dunn's healthcare division began construction on this $37 million facility in October of 2005, and the hospital welcomed the public in an opening ceremony on January 6. Construction work consisted of earthwork, site utilities, water features, landscaping, concrete footings and slab on grade, structural steel framing, interior and exterior metal stud walls, brick veneer, curtainwall, lightweight insulating concrete, membrane roofing, MEP systems and all interior finishes.

One of the many goals early in the process was to reinvent the hospital's internal culture and operations to provide a more nurturing environment for staff and a more rewarding patient care experience. This was fulfilled by creating a facility that not only physically heals the patient, but utilizes the environment as a traditional source of the healing process. Within the hospital areas there is a quiet library with a fireplace and family gathering space with a kitchen and gaming area, which are featured amenities designed to enhance the experience for patients and guests.

The planning, design and construction process was a very integrated effort between the Owner, architect and construction manager, and resulted in a quality facility that will serve the Carthage community for many years.