PERRY COUNTY HOSPITAL SETS OPEN HOUSE AT CENTER

PERRYVILLE -- A new physician office complex, part of Perry County Memorial Hospital, will be open for tours Thursday.

The open house at the Medical Services Center is scheduled between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

"We are very pleased to have the first phase of the construction completed," said hospital administrator Patrick Bira. "I anticipate the bids will be let for completion of the second floor in March."

The building is designed to house eight physicians. Drs. David Kapp and James Wright, family practitioners, will be the first tenants. Kapp's and Wright's office will be on the lower level of the complex.

The complex is directly behind the hospital and the public may enter either at the upper level or lower level. The unfinished upper level will be open for touring and an elevator between the two levels operating.

The building was designed by Christner Partnership, Inc. of St. Louis and completed by Kiefner Brothers Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau at a cost of approximately $850,000.

In December, the Board of Trustees at the hospital voted to complete the second floor of the office complex after several physicians expressed interest, Biri said. Architect for the second phase is John Dudley of Jackson.

Biri said the office building is designed to enhance physician recruitment, assist physician retention, improve the convenience of patients served by the physicians and the hospital, improve obstetrics care because physicians are close to the hospital, and further integrate community health care services.