MGRMC tours community leaders through new Medical Office Complex

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Local leaders in our community donned protective hard hats and vests to tour MGRMC's new $18 million Medical Office Complex under construction. The new complex is expected to open in August.

Future expansion plans include a new wound care clinic, retail pharmacy, and possible second story to the hospital

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

SAFFORD – The Mount Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) is the healthcare jewel of the Gila Valley, and the campus continues its expansion to better offer health services to the community. 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Thatcher Town Manager Heath Brown, left, and Graham County Manager Dustin Welker prepare to take the tour.

On Wednesday, the hospital treated community leaders to a breakfast and tour of its newest construction project: a 36,000-square-foot Medical Office Complex that will house the hospital’s OBGYN clinic, Gila Valley Orthopedics with Dr. Rex Bryce, Dr. Elkins Pain Management Clinic, and Roadrunner Rehab. BFL Construction Companies is building the new complex adjacent to and just west of the 25,000-square-foot Copper Mountain Clinic. The hospital initially broke ground on the complex in November 2023 and is now looking toward an August opening.  

Joining the upper echelon of hospital staff at the Wednesday meeting, including CEO Roland Knox, community members invited to the event included government representatives from Graham County, Safford, and Thatcher, as well as those from the Safford Regional Airport and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines, the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, EAC’s SBDC, and the Safford Unified School District, 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: MGRMC Chief Operating Officer Eric Neal guides the tour through the new medical office complex.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center Eric Neal led the tour and gave updates on future projects, including a new wound-care clinic set to break ground and a retail pharmacy on campus. 

The new Medical Office Complex, currently under construction, has a price tag of about $18 million, according to Neal, which includes additional equipment for the increased number of exam rooms and whatnot.

“We’ve got a lot of growth that’s happening, and we’re trying to keep up with the pace with all the construction and expansion,” Neal said. “We’re looking forward to the next 20 years for that.”

However, Neal advised that 10 years ago, they wouldn’t have thought the need would have grown as fast as it has. 

The clinics will have to move all their equipment before seeing patients, and an exodus is planned for the weekend before opening. 

Contributed Photo By Eric Neal/MGRMC: The new Medical Office Complex’s exterior is similar to this already constructed Medical Office Complex.

According to Neal, the newly opened space from the clinics’ relocation will enable the hospital to convert the old space into administrative support, IT, and a dedicated education space. 

Retail Pharmacy

Another project Neal announced at the event was the addition of a retail pharmacy. The retail pharmacy will provide consulting pharmacists to assist with complicated medications and insurance pre-approvals.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Graham County Supervisor Paul David, center, listens to Safford Airport Director Cameron Atkins, right, with Safford Assistant City Manager Eric Bejarano, left.

Neal said another advantage of having the retail pharmacy on the hospital campus was that patients could make an appointment, get their prescription filled with expert consultation, and then pick it up on their way out. 

Wound Care Clinic

A new wound care clinic will be built adjacent to Mount Graham Surgical Associates. Groundbreaking is expected in the next few months.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Workers use a lift to reach elevated places.

Second Story to MGRMC

With the need only growing, the hospital is considering possibly adding a second story to its building. However, to do so, new structures would have to be constructed to support the weight, as the current building would not be able to accommodate the additional space.