Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development joined Curry Health Network, partner organizations, and local residents for a ribbon cutting at the new Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach on Oregon’s southern coast. The new facility, which received significant USDA funding, will meet the healthcare needs of Curry Health District residents for decades to come.
“Modern healthcare facilities that provide a full range of medical services are vital to the prosperity of rural Oregon,” said Rural Development Acting State Director Jill Rees. “This state-of-the-art hospital is here today because the local community prioritized improved, expanded healthcare access and voted in favor of a bond measure to bring that goal to fruition. USDA is proud to have played a role in financing this critically important facility for the residents of Curry Health District.”
The previous hospital building was constructed in 1951. It began operation providing only acute care services, meaning that residents had to travel long distances to receive specialized medical care. Today, the 66-year-old facility can no longer meet patient needs or building codes.
The local community demonstrated its overwhelming support for a new facility that would provide quality healthcare when residents of the Curry Health District voted in November 2013 to approve a $10 million general obligation bond to fund this project. Curry Health Network provided an additional $521,000. The remaining $20.96 million needed for the construction of the new hospital was provided by USDA Rural Development low-interest loans through its Community Facilities Program.
The new 62,000-square-foot critical care hospital and clinic will provide space for increased services through a variety of medical specialists, including orthopedic surgeons, general surgeons, family physicians, a gynecologist, and a cardiologist. The hospital will also host visiting specialists in oncology; hematology; ophthalmology; ear, nose, and throat medicine; and neurology. The hospital features state-of-the-art medical equipment, including a powerful new CT scanner. Additionally, the modern, multi-story facility will provide 18 inpatient beds, as well as improved privacy throughout the building.
With its expanded capacity, the Curry General Hospital will be able to meet the medical needs of both residents within its service district and the frequent travelers passing through the area on scenic Highway 101. Additionally, it will provide access to a variety of specialized care. More than 22,350 people will be served by the new facility, including residents of Gold Beach, Port Orford to the north, Brookings to the south, and the smaller communities of Agnes, Wedderburn, Ophir, Sixes, and Pistol River.