Hey Fort Smith — Baptist Health Fort Smith plans operational changes, says hospital will stay open
📖 Community Explainer 3 min read Fort Smith, AR Here’s what’s happening and why Fort Smith should care: Baptist Health Fort Smith says the hospital will remain open, but operational changes are coming. In Fort Smith Arkansas, that touches ER waits, surgeries, and everyday care across the River Valley. If you’re new to the 479, here’s the lay of the land. We’ve got two major hospital anchors. Baptist Health Fort Smith sits just south of Garrison Avenue on Towson, serving downtown and the west side. Mercy Fort Smith is up off Rogers Avenue near I-49, serving the east side and Chaffee Crossing growth. Baptist is the former Sparks campus, a longtime medical hub for our city. Two systems. One shared mission. Care for the Fort. KHBS reports Baptist leaders are planning “operational changes.” They emphasized the hospital will stay open. Details were limited in the report. That means we could see adjustments to how services are organized, when clinics run, or ho...