CMH breaks ground on new Stockton facility

Last Wednesday afternoon, Citizens Memorial Healthcare Foundation broke ground on a new longterm care facility in Stockton next door to the Stockton Family Medical Center at 1521 Third Street.

Some 100 people gathered there for the event. They heard Donald J. Babb, CEO/Executive Director of CMH, talk about this latest project.  They also heard a few words from Melinda Gumm, Clark Thompson and Kelly Bass.

The 50,292 square foot structure will be built on 11.2 acres as part of CMH Stockton Medical Plaza, which also includes Stockton Family Medical Center, Stockton Rehabilitation Clinic and Stockton Home Medical Equipment. The building design for Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility will embrace a new concept in senior living called person-centered care.

“We are extremely excited about this new 90-bed replacement facility,” said Donald J. Babb, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Memorial Hospital and Executive Director of Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation. “This will be a new way to look at how skilled care is provided in long-term care with a more homelike atmosphere. I think this will be an outstanding facility and as we design other long-term care facilities in the future, they will be designed similarly.”

Construction is scheduled to begin mid-July and is expected to cost $8.1 million. Larry Snyder & Co., Ozark, was selected as the contractor for the project, and Larry D. Nelson, Springfield, is the architect. Funding for construction is provided through a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The project is expected to be completed in 14 months. It will replace the current Stockton Healthcare Facility.

Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility, previously Stockton Nursing Home, merged with CMH Foundation in September 2011. It is one of six long-term care facilities owned and operated by CMH with additional locations in Ash Grove, Bolivar, Buffalo, and El Dorado Springs. CMH also operates one residential care facility in Bolivar.

Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility currently is a 75-bed Medicare and Medicaid certified skilled nursing care facility. It also has a special care unit for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services including physical, occupational and speech therapy.

“In addition to the new Lake Stockton facility, we also plan to build an independent living community similar to what we built in El Dorado Springs, Ash Grove, Buffalo and Bolivar,” said Babb. “It allows residents the opportunity to maintain their independence while living close to healthcare services.” The Lake Stockton Senior Living Community will be managed by Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility. Kevin Costello, formerly of El Dorado Springs, has been the administrator of the facility since 1989 and will continue in that position. The staff will be 85 employees.

The new nursing home will be licensed for 90 beds. It will offer both private and double occupancy rooms. More than 20 rooms in the new facility will be private.

CMH BREAKS GROUND IN STOCKTON – Thursday  afternoon, July 5, Citizens Memorial Hospital leaders and other distinguished guests threw the first spade full of dirt to official kick off the CMH Long Term Care Facility in Stockton. Those participating were: Group Photo Identification:

(Left – Right): Bob Keller, CEO, Larry Snyder & Co.; Chuck Mauck, Director of Plant Facilities, CMH; Russell Payne, Board Member, CMH Foundation; Neale Johnson, DDS, Board Member, CMH Foundation and Stockton Nursing Home; Melody Roach, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development; Brad Gregory, Board Vice President; CMH Foundation, Board Member, CMH; Donald J. Babb, CEO, CMH; Executive Director, CMH Foundation; Clark Thomas, Community Program Director, USDA Rural Development; Melinda Gumm, Board President, Stockton Nursing Home; Dave Strader, Board President, CMH Foundation; Chris McBratney, Administrative Director, CMH Long-Term Care West; Larry Nelson, Architect and Kevin Costello, Administrator, Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility. Photo courtesy of Tamera Heitz-Peek.