In most cases one usually finds the best things are right herein our own backyard. An open house this past week at King’sDaughters Medical Center is a case in point.

The first phase of an extended capital expansion program at thelocally owned hospital was opened for public inspection Tuesdayafternoon. Those who joined in the festivities were able to seefirsthand the new Intensive Care facilities and get a feel for theplans for the future of medical care here in SouthwestMississippi.

The new ICU is part of a $12 million project that will includenew emergency room facilities and upgrades of every patient room inthe hospital. Those projects are expected to be finished in thenext 12 months. Tied to the expansion of the outpatient, radiologyand surgical areas a few years ago, area residents can rest assuredthat our medical community is strong and vibrant.

The current facility was opened in 1964 under the leadership ofa group of local woman dedicated to quality medical care for thecommunity. Although today, the day-to-day operations are handed bya management company, the oversight of the hospital is stillhandled by the local King’s Daughters board with the samededication to quality care for Brookhaven, Lincoln County and theSouthwest Mississippi area.