Saint Francis takes step toward Dexter facility with land purchase

DEXTER, Mo. -- Saint Francis Healthcare System on Thursday announced it has purchased 18 acres at U.S. 60 Outer Road and Harris Drive in Dexter, and plans to build an outreach health-care facility on the site.

"We are very excited about this opportunity in Dexter," Steven C. Bjelich, president and chief executive officer at Saint Francis, said in a news release. "We have spoken with several community leaders and local physicians who look forward to a Saint Francis presence in their community."

Current plans call for ambulatory services, primary care, rehabilitation therapies and wellness, the release said. Specific building plans will be revealed at a later date.

"Most health care industry leaders agree that the future in health care is not more hospital beds, but health care that is delivered close to home or at home. It will concentrate on keeping people healthier and out of the hospital," Bjelich said. "Through our strategic planning and outreach, Saint Francis is uniquely positioned to work more closely with the people in Dexter to meet their health care needs."

Emily Sikes, account services provider for Saint Francis, said the hospital was approached by people in Dexter about putting a facility there. The first step was to evaluate interest in Saint Francis locating in Dexter; the second piece was acquiring the land.

Sikes said the hospital is working with Dexter residents to determine their needs.

The third step will be to determine specifics of "our building based on their needs," Sikes said.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

Saint Francis is a 282-bed facility serving more than 650,000 people throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.

Saint Francis works with Black River Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo., has physicians working in Farmington, Mo., and Sikeston, Mo., and an immediate convenient care facility in Perryville, Mo., Sikes said.

Pertinent address:

211 St. Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

U.S. 60 Outer Road and Harris Drive, Dexter, Mo.