Plans Released for New Bristow Lakeside Hospital

The City of Bristow is getting a brand new, state-of-the-art hospital soon. Carrus Health will take over operations on January 1, 2022. 

The new hospital, called Carrus Health Lakeside, will be built just behind the current, existing hospital on West 7th Street in Bristow. 

Carrus plans to operate out of the current building while the new facility is being built and they hope to have it completed as soon as possible. 

"I love Bristow's proximity to both major cities in Oklahoma and I think it's going to be a great spot, not only to enhance rural healthcare and the rural healthcare market but I can see a lot of future growth opportunities here,” said Carrus Chief Operating Officer and President Jon Rains. 

Carrus Health is based in Sherman, Texas and has rural hospitals and nursing homes in both Texas and Oklahoma. Rains said he’s been working in rural healthcare for his entire 20 year career. 

Rains said the new facility will be two stories with all private rooms. They'll also have a general surgery ward, a critical care unit and an emergency department.

“The hospital will be full-service, so all of your medical imaging needs, all of your outpatient surgery needs and all of those things, we'll be able to address right here in Bristow,” said Rains. 

The new building is being paid for in part by a half cent sales tax. Bristow voters passed the penny sales tax in the spring of 2021. Half of the penny went toward the hospital and the other half went toward park improvements. 

Related Story: Proposed Penny Sales Tax Would Help Invest In New Bristow Hospital

Bristow Mayor Rick Pinson said he’s excited Carrus is coming to the community. 

"I've got full confidence that Carrus healthcare can come in and provide Bristow and our community with the healthcare that we deserve,” said Pinson. 

Carrus said their goal with all their hospitals is to keep patients close to home. They work to compliment the services of larger hospitals so patients can come back to recover near their families, while being taken care of by people in their community. 

“It's going to kind of ease your mind. You're going to recognize familiar faces, you're going to feel more comfortable because the people you know and trust are actually going to be providing your healthcare,” said Rains. 

There’s no exact timeline on when they’ll start building the new facility, but they hope to break ground soon. 

Carrus Health plans to have Carrus Fest at Klingensmith Park in Bristow on October 23rd from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. They’re planning to have a hiring fair and it will be an opportunity for community members can meet the new owners.