For Immediate Release

“Extreme” Groundbreaking in Ardmore, Oklahoma

Ardmore — Beginning this week, monster-size backhoes, bulldozers and trucks will begin rolling into Ardmore to begin “extreme” groundbreaking on Mercy Memorial Health Center’s new $60 million patient tower that will sit at the center of one of the nation’s booming megapolitan areas.

And booming it will be. Nabholz Construction Corporation won the bid for the hospital and will soon be humming with between 200 and 300 construction workers moving to the area for the two-year project. Fenix Constructors will serve as program manager for the project.

“Not only will we have a high tech, all-digital hospital here in southern Oklahoma within the next several years, we are also creating a great deal of business for the Ardmore community,” said Bob Thompson, CEO and president of Mercy Memorial. “This is a huge boon from every corner.”

The new patient tower will house 158 private rooms, a women’s health center, a new and improved intensive care unit, more parking and a new entrance.

“There will be some growing pains with the construction—inconveniences that go hand in hand with construction” said Thompson, “but the end result will be worth any sacrifices. We will have a hospital that competes with any large city hospital. With this new patient tower, we will continue to provide excellent medical care to the area over the next quarter of a century.”

Several years ago, USA Today placed Ardmore at the center of one of the nation’s 10 megapolitan areas which stretches from San Antonio, Texas, to Kansas City, Missouri. Megapolitan areas are fast-growing corridors due to a global economy and urban sprawl.

“With the boom underway here in southern Oklahoma, it’s vital that we prepare for more growth,” said John Kriet, chairman of Mercy Memorial Foundation. “It’s critical that our hospital keep pace with this growing community. This is an exciting time in southern Oklahoma. ”

Mercy Memorial Health Center is a member of Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System.

Press release dated: January 22, 2008