Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction - The Independence Healthcare Center Expansion Project (operated by Labette Health in Independence, KS) involves a 12,824 square foot addition and 1,113 square foot (SF) renovation to the current Independence Healthcare Center (IHC) including 60 new parking spaces and a Healing Garden. The Independence Healthcare Center (IHC) is currently a 17,000 SF facility which includes an Emergency Department, Lab, Radiology, Cancer Infusion Center, and Rural Health Clinic(s). Labette Health initially constructed the IHC in 2017 as a response to the loss of Mercy Hospital when it closed its doors in 2015 - leaving Independence, KS and swathes of Montgomery County without critical hospital services. The IHC has been a resounding success, and provided 6,902 Emergency Room Visits, 15,695 Rural Health Clinic visits, and 752 Specialty Clinic visits in 2022. The demand for hospital services is increasing, and this project will provide those key additional services to the community of Independence, KS and greater Montgomery County, KS. This expansion will include the addition of 12,824 SF: 1,724 SF to our Lab Services incl. storm shelter, conference room, and facilities maintenance; 1,100 SF to Oncology Services (expanding Cancer Center Infusions), and approximately 10,000 SF to the Rural Health Clinic in order to expand Primary Healthcare Services, provide in-office procedures, and offer Specialty Services (sports medicine, orthopedics, endocrinology). The 1,113 SF of renovation will modify our existing Emergency Department to add critical outpatient Ultrasound Services. The Independence Healthcare Center will see 17 new patient exam rooms, 2 new procedure rooms, and four (4) cancer infusion stations. The IHC expansion will see the healthcare needs of the community it serves not only met, but exceeded with focus on quality and access to care.
