Senator Boozman visits NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital

JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - Representatives with NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro had a special visitor Thursday morning.

U.S. Senator John Boozman stopped by the hospital for his first visit since the facility opened.

The six-story structure contains 181 beds with expansion space for a total of 300 beds and two multi-specialty physician structures.

Senator Boozman said he is concerned with protecting community hospitals and learning what's needed.

"We're visiting withphysicianss, the providers. We're visiting with the administration. People that work here and really seeing what we can do as a delegation to support them."

Senator Boozman went on to say, "Really what I'm concerned about is protecting community hospitals. That's such a vital part of Arkansas. Most communities are smaller and so we've got to do everything we can to protect community hospitals."

The facility also includes a 34,000 square-foot advanced cancer treatment center featuring radiation therapy, chemotherapy, medical oncology, clinical research, as well as supportive services.

Copyright 2014 KAIT. All rights reserved.