CHRISTUS Health celebrates 75th anniversary of Sulphur Springs hospital, announces expansion

CHRISTUS Health celebrated the 75th anniversary of Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs on Thursday with a ceremony and announcement of a $25 million hospital expansion.

The hospital, in partnership with the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation and community partners, is investing in a two-phase hospital expansion, which includes adding nearly 8,000 square feet to the surgical wing and a new clinic building that will house orthopedics, gastroenterology and interventional pain specialists.

“We have seen unbelievable growth, and we are not going to stop,” said hospital President Paul Harvey. “We are committed to providing first-class health care and we are excited for the future."

The expanded surgical wing will include eight operating rooms, a changing lounge, 13 additional post-op recovery area, 19 pre-op rooms and new surgical suites that will be larger and able to accommodate the latest technology, including robotic surgical systems.

“We are going to be on par with the major urban facilities in what we will be able to do surgically,” Harvey said. “We will be able to see more patients, reduce wait times and provide the services our community deserves.”

The hospital opened as Memorial Hospital in 1949. The original facility was located on North Davis Street, before moving to its current location on Airport Road in 1968 and being renamed Hopkins County Memorial Hospital.

In 2016, CHRISTUS Health acquired the hospital and renamed it CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.

“I think of the amazing work that we have been able to do during our lifetime, and it really is incredible,” Harvey said.

Among those in attendance were state Sen. Bryan Hughes and state Rep. Jill Dutton, who praised the hospital’s growth and ability to provide health care to rural areas.

They presented Harvey with a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, highlighting the anniversary of the hospital.