Mercy Hospital Ozark is a 25-bed critical access hospital located at 801 W. River Street in Ozark, Arkansas, providing 24-hour emergency care, primary and specialty services, and inpatient care to residents of Franklin County and the surrounding River Valley region. The hospital is affiliated with Mercy Hospital Fort Smith and underwent a major $5.13 million expansion and renovation in 2020 that modernized its facilities and enhanced patient care capabilities. Patients in the Ozark area looking for a trusted community healthcare resource will find that Dr. Gina Sims’ practice and Mercy Hospital Ozark share the same foundation of accessible, quality-driven care.
Overview of Mercy Hospital Ozark
Mercy Hospital Ozark is a critical access hospital in Franklin County, Arkansas, staffing 15 beds, handling 6,852 emergency department visits annually, and performing 429 total surgeries per year as of fiscal year 2025.
The hospital serves as Franklin County’s primary acute care facility, offering a full range of diagnostic, treatment, and recovery services. Affiliation with Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, a nationally ranked integrated healthcare provider, gives Ozark patients access to an expanded network of specialists and resources when care beyond the local hospital’s scope is needed.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, critical access hospital status is granted to rural facilities that maintain 24-hour emergency care and serve communities where the nearest alternative acute care hospital is at least 35 miles away, making Mercy Hospital Ozark a foundational healthcare resource for Franklin County residents.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 801 W. River Street, Ozark, AR 72949 |
| Phone | (479) 667-4138 |
| Fax | (479) 667-1072 |
| Hospital Type | Critical Access Hospital |
| Licensed Beds | 25 (15 staffed, FY2025) |
| Hours | Open 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| County Served | Franklin County, Arkansas |
| Affiliated With | Mercy Hospital Fort Smith |
| Renovation Completed | 2020 ($5.13 million expansion) |
| Annual ED Visits (FY2025) | 6,852 |
Medical Services and Specialties
Mercy Hospital Ozark offers emergency medicine, surgical care, orthopedics, pulmonology, laboratory services, diagnostic radiology, physical therapy, and a swing bed recovery program, handling over 10,000 outpatient visits annually.
The emergency department operates around the clock with qualified physicians on staff at all times, providing care for injuries and illnesses ranging from minor conditions to life-threatening emergencies. When cases require capabilities beyond those available in Ozark, the hospital’s affiliation with Mercy Hospital Fort Smith ensures a coordinated transition to higher-level care.
The American Heart Association has recognized Mercy Hospital Ozark with its Get With the Guidelines Rural Stroke Bronze Award (2024) and Get With the Guidelines Rural CAD-STEMI Bronze Award (2025), indicating that the hospital meets specific quality benchmarks in stroke and cardiac care protocols.
- 24/7 emergency medicine
- Inpatient surgical care (429 total surgeries, FY2025)
- Orthopedic care: joints, sports injuries, hand injuries, musculoskeletal trauma
- Pulmonology: asthma, COPD, lung disease, sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea
- Pulmonary function testing
- Diagnostic radiology and imaging
- Laboratory services
- Physical therapy (inpatient and dedicated outpatient location)
- Respiratory care
- Swing bed recovery program
- Primary and specialty care clinics
For additional perspective on Mercy’s Arkansas critical access network, profiles of Mercy Hospital Booneville Arkansas and Mercy Hospital Berryville Arkansas are also available on this site.
Emergency Department
Mercy Hospital Ozark’s emergency department is staffed by qualified physicians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is equipped with advanced technology to handle the full range of medical emergencies presenting in a rural community setting.
The department recorded 6,852 visits in fiscal year 2025. When a patient’s condition requires capabilities beyond those available locally, the Mercy network’s connection to Fort Smith specialists and the broader Mercy system provides rapid access to expanded resources.
The department has earned American Heart Association recognition for both rural stroke and rural CAD-STEMI care quality, indicating that time-sensitive cardiac and stroke protocols are followed consistently with outcomes meeting national benchmark standards.
Orthopedic Services
Mercy Hospital Ozark’s orthopedic physicians diagnose and treat conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, from sports injuries and achy joints to hand injuries and trauma cases.
The orthopedic program handled 49 cases in fiscal year 2023, serving Franklin County patients who would otherwise need to travel to Fort Smith or beyond for specialized bone and joint care. Orthopedic walk-in care is also available through the affiliated Mercy Clinic Orthopedics in Ozark for non-emergency musculoskeletal concerns.
Pulmonology and Respiratory Care
Mercy Hospital Ozark’s pulmonology team diagnoses and treats breathing and lung disorders including asthma, COPD, pneumonia, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung cancer, with pulmonary function testing available on site.
The pulmonology service logged 289 cases in fiscal year 2023. Pulmonary function testing allows for accurate baseline measurements and ongoing monitoring without requiring patients to travel to a larger regional center. According to the American Lung Association, rural residents are disproportionately affected by chronic respiratory conditions, making accessible pulmonary care a priority service in communities like Franklin County.
Swing Bed Program
Mercy Hospital Ozark’s swing bed program provides extended skilled care for patients recovering from surgery or illness who need additional time and support before returning home.
Services within the program include physical, occupational, and speech therapy, IV treatments, and wound care. The swing bed model allows patients to remain in the same familiar hospital setting while transitioning from acute care to recovery-level care, avoiding placement at a distant skilled nursing facility.
History of Mercy Hospital Ozark
Mercy Hospital Ozark traces its roots to 1952, when the original hospital facility was built in Ozark, Arkansas, following a long tradition of Mercy-affiliated healthcare service in the River Valley region dating back to 1853.
The Sisters of Mercy first began their mission in the River Valley in 1853, providing compassionate care to the sick and nursing soldiers during the Civil War. Their legacy in the region included the 30-bed St. Edward Infirmary, an early cornerstone of healthcare in the area. The current Ozark hospital was built in 1952 and operated for nearly seven decades before undergoing a comprehensive $5.13 million expansion and renovation that was completed in 2020, reopening with modernized patient care spaces and enhanced capabilities.
The hospital previously operated under the name Mercy Hospital Turner Memorial, a name still recognized by some longtime patients and historical directories in the area.
Visitor Information and Patient Services
Mercy Hospital Ozark maintains an open visiting policy with 24/7 access, subject to standard guidelines including a two-visitor limit per room and supervision requirements for children under 12.
Patients with disabilities may have up to three designated support persons present at all times. The campus is fully smoke-free and vape-free in compliance with Joint Commission standards, and weapons are prohibited under a zero-tolerance policy. Free guest WiFi is available on the WiFi@Mercy network, and language interpretation and hearing assistance services are provided at no cost.
Appointments can be scheduled through Mercy’s First Available scheduling tool at mercy.net or by calling (479) 667-4138. The MyMercy patient portal allows patients to view test results, renew prescriptions, and communicate with care teams online. Online cost estimates for services are accessible through Mercy’s price transparency tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mercy Hospital Ozark’s hours?
Mercy Hospital Ozark is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including emergency services.
What is the phone number for Mercy Hospital Ozark?
The main phone number for Mercy Hospital Ozark is (479) 667-4138. The fax number is (479) 667-1072.
Where is Mercy Hospital Ozark located?
Mercy Hospital Ozark is located at 801 W. River Street, Ozark, AR 72949, serving Franklin County in the Arkansas River Valley.
What specialties does Mercy Hospital Ozark offer?
Mercy Hospital Ozark offers emergency medicine, orthopedics, pulmonology, surgical care, physical therapy, laboratory services, and diagnostic radiology, among other services.
Does Mercy Hospital Ozark accept Medicare?
Yes. Mercy Hospital Ozark is Medicare-certified as a critical access hospital. Cost estimates are available through Mercy’s price transparency tool at mercy.net.
Has Mercy Hospital Ozark received any quality awards?
Yes. Mercy Hospital Ozark has received the American Heart Association Get With the Guidelines Rural Stroke Bronze Award (2024) and Rural CAD-STEMI Bronze Award (2025).
What is the swing bed program at Mercy Hospital Ozark?
The swing bed program provides skilled recovery care including therapy, IV treatments, and wound care for patients transitioning out of acute hospital care before returning home.
