Anticipating future growth, Mercy begins renovating Frisco Building for clinic

Susan Szuch, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
Officials from Mercy Hospital Springfield swing hammers into a wall at the Frisco Building during a "first hammer swing" ceremony on Monday, May 8, 2023. The Frisco Building, on East Chestnut Expressway, will house primary care, optometry, pediatrics, occupational medicine and therapy services from Mercy once renovations are complete.
Officials from Mercy Hospital Springfield swing hammers into a wall at the Frisco Building during a "first hammer swing" ceremony on Monday, May 8, 2023. The Frisco Building, on East Chestnut Expressway, will house primary care, optometry, pediatrics, occupational medicine and therapy services from Mercy once renovations are complete.

As part of their mission to provide service in the community, Mercy is beginning renovations on a clinic in the historic Frisco Building in northeast Springfield. The organization marked the beginning of construction Monday morning with a "first hammer swing," similar to a groundbreaking ceremony.

According to Mercy spokesman Jordan Larimore, the clinic on East Chestnut Expressway near U.S. 65 is expected to open in spring 2024.

Once the construction is complete, the building will house primary care services, occupational medicine and therapy services, pediatric medicine and an optometry and optical shop. Director of occupational medicine services at Mercy Dr. Scott Galligos says that patients will be able to receive worker's compensation care, physicals, disability ratings, drug screens, among other services, at the location.

Mercy's roots stretch back to the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic order that became known as the "Walking Sisters" for their devotion to community outreach.

More: Springfield hospital's maternity program recognized by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report

"(The Sisters of Mercy) said that we should constantly be walking out into the community that we serve, so that's what we do today," said Bill Hennesey, vice president of mission at Mercy Springfield.

According to Dr. Brad Wyrsch, one of Mercy's regional physician executives for southwest Missouri, part of the reason the hospital system is expanding throughout Springfield is due to the anticipated growth: In the next 5 years, Springfield's population is expected to increase by at least 4%, and the demand for senior care — patients older than 65 years old — will increase by 12%.

"Mercy is really looking into the future and planning now for this expected growth, so we can fully serve our patients with the best care," Wyrsch said. The Frisco Building clinic, when complete, will offer extended hours and will be open on the weekend, as well, Wyrsch said.

Susan Szuch is the health and public policy reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter @szuchsm. Story idea? Email her at sszuch@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Mercy expands outreach in Springfield with start of northeast clinic