Magee General Hospital (MGH) is making significant strides with its $4 million hospital project. The CEO of MGH, Gregg Gibbes, recently confirmed the project remains on track as planned. The hospital’s Board of Directors and administration are currently working with a Hattiesburg-based construction firm to finalize the building documents and budget, with construction expected to commence in the first quarter of 2024. 

“It is a very exciting time for our local hospital as we begin this construction project,” said MGH CEO Gregg Gibbes. He added, “Too many times we read reports about the doom and gloom surrounding small rural hospitals around Mississippi, and it’s too bad because there are so many positive things happening. Not only are we beginning a capital project to remodel our hospital, but we are also preparing to launch Epic – an advanced electronic health record that will help our caregivers increase the standard of care.” 

MGH received a $4 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration for the project. The funds will be used to improve aging hospital facilities and purchase new equipment to better serve the community. 

Patients arriving at the hospital will be greeted by a newly resurfaced and striped parking area with directional signage and a brand-new portico for convenient ambulance drop-off and pick-up. Admissions will be relocated to the front of the hospital, making it more accessible and convenient for patients. The front lobby and visitor waiting areas will also be renovated to better accommodate patients and visitors. 

The construction plan also includes several upgrades to the outpatient area of the hospital. MGH’s entire surgical suite will be renovated and expanded with state-of-the-art equipment to accommodate more surgeons and procedures. Gibbes said, “We have performed nearly 2,000 outpatient surgeries over the past year, and our Board of Directors has put a high priority on reinvesting in service lines that our community supports.” Additionally, the helipad will be moved to the front of the hospital, which will increase the efficiency and timeliness of care for emergency patients. 

Other areas of the hospital will receive aesthetic upgrades and new directional signage to assist with patient flow and care. 

Gibbes states he believes in continuously investing in facilities to create a patient-friendly environment. He added, “Our small, rural hospital provides care to tens of thousands of patients each year. We have a Board of Trustees that is committed to creating a sustainable pathway forward for healthcare in our community, and this $4 million construction project is the next step in our journey.”