New Le Bonheur outpatient building unveiled for Jackson

JACKSON, Tenn. — Le Bonheur unveiled plans Tuesday for a new outpatient building here in the Hub City.

“It’ll be just so much more convenient because we’ll be able to get there more easily,” said Alicia Russell, a parent of a Le Bonheur patient.

CEO Meri Armour and patient Claire Russell unveiled the plans for the new Le Bonheur outpatient building.

“The architectural plans are drawn. The land has been bought, purchased. We will be in front of Gander Mountain in the Columns. So we think that will be a very accessible place for family to get to,” Armour said.

Armour said the building will be about 40,000 square feet and house 20 exam rooms and will have specialists available.

“All of our sub-specialists will be here — gastroenterologist, an asthma specialist, a cardiologist — all kinds of folks that will be coming to take care of these kids and their special needs,” Armour said.

With the plans in place, they are excited to break ground this fall and are hoping to be open by August 2017.

“We usually go once or twice a year for Claire’s cardiology appointments,” Russell said. “I typically take Claire out of school for the day because it’s a long way. With the resources being here in Jackson, we may be able to just take a quick trip over after lunch one day.”

Amour said the new facility will also have laboratory and diagnostic services, so if a child needs a CAT scan or MRI, it can be done in Jackson without having to drive to Memphis.

“We think this is a wonderful opportunity for us to further that and make it easier for families to be able to get the kind of care they need and want, and we’re just excited to be here,” Armour said.

One of the goals for the facility is to hire people from the area to staff and operate it. Le Bonheur believes it will take nine to 10 months to build from the time they break ground.