DeSoto Regional Health Breaks Grounds on $50 Million Expansion with $32 million USDA Loan, Enhancing Emergency and Urgent Care for Rural Louisiana

Portia Langley

08.27.2024 | Community Facilities Health Care

With a $32 million Community Facilities direct loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, DeSoto Regional Health, a 70-year-old hospital in Mansfield, LA, broke ground on renovations and expansions to add a 16-bed medical/surgical unit, a 9-bed emergency department, and a 30,000 sq. ft. medical office to include a rural health clinic, a 3-bed sleep lab, and administrative offices.

With no room to spare at the Mansfield rural health clinic and outpatient rooms 50-70 years old, DeSoto Regional Health seeks to modernize and enlarge its urgent and emergency care capacity for residents in DeSoto parish. The renovations will increase much-needed operational efficiency between the emergency and inpatient departments.

"This hospital renovation project is so important to our community. It could not happen without our partnership with USDA Rural Development Louisiana. We've been working with the RD staff for the past few years, and through the teamwork, we've been able to move forward with the project," said Todd Eppler, DeSoto Regional Health CEO.

With a population of 5,000 residents and a median household income of $21,000, the not-for-profit DeSoto Regional Health also serves rural families in nine surrounding cities and towns.

"Our emergency room is very important to our area. You need to be in the first place to get that emergency care, and we have wonderful providers," said Deborah Dees, DeSoto Regional Health System Foundation chairwoman.

The renovations and expansion also mean more jobs created for the community. "With new buildings and a new hospital wing, we will hire new people. It will have a big economic impact on Desoto Parish, and we certainly need that," said Eppler.

The total project cost is over $50 million. With a USDA community facilities direct loan commitment of $32 million and a OneRD guaranteed loan by MidFirst Bank of $4 million, DeSoto Regional Health is investing $14 million of its funds. Construction will take two to three years to complete. DeSoto Regional Health will remain operational during upgrades.