Mercy Breaks Ground on New Branson Clinic

As Mercy marks its 125th year serving the Ozarks, the health system is ushering in a new era of health care in Branson. Ground was officially broken Monday, May 2, on a new, multi-specialty clinic.

“We’re bringing something to Branson that reflects a new and very different way of thinking, and will include some services that the community hasn’t seen before,” said Dr. Alan Scarrow, president of Mercy Springfield Communities. “Mercy spent years listening to Branson residents and visitors, learning about their needs and understanding how health care fits into their lifestyles. As a result, we are making a major investment in services that are more convenient and easily accessible. This means expanding our services that reach people where they are – at home, work, on their mobile devices – rather than just where Mercy is physically located.”

The 32,400-square-foot clinic, estimated to cost about $19 million, will be built atop the hill near the intersection of Highways 65 and 248, the former location of the Branson Inn. The new facility’s design allows for new services with an emphasis on Mercy Virtual Care.

“Not only will people have convenient access to nurses, primary care, medical and surgical specialists, they will also be able to better manage their chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma with the help of our virtual care service – whether at home or within our new clinic,” Dr. Scarrow said.

In addition to primary care, urgent care, and specialty clinics, the physical space in Branson will include the following:

• Autism Therapy Clinic
• Family Medicine / Internal Medicine Clinic
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Services
• Expanding Imaging Services
• Laboratory
• Oncology
• Optometry/Ophthalmology
• Mercy Park
• Conference center space for community use 

“The other major shift will be a focus on the value that health care is providing not just to individuals, but also to the businesses and insurers in Branson." Dr. Scarrow said. “We will focus on partnerships with local businesses that result in better care at a lower cost to their employees and families.”

“Our community is so appreciative,” said Peter Herschend, co-owner and co-founder of Herschend Family Entertainment and Silver Dollar City. “With this very significant step by Mercy, we’ll now have the combined talent of two great health systems working to make Branson a medical hub. Without the vision, foresight and leadership of Mercy and Dr. Scarrow, today’s actions and tomorrow's promises could not and would not have happened.”

Construction of the facility, with the address of 448 Highway 248, is expected by fall 2016. The adjacent Oak Ridge Boys Theatre will soon be torn down to make room for the new clinic.

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Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.