WJTV-TV Jackson
Lawrence County Hospital breaks ground on $8.6M renovation
By Tommy West
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Lawrence County Hospital broke ground on their updated healthcare facilities. Announced during a groundbreaking ceremony on July 17, 2026, the new facility will be designed by healthcare architectural firm BWBR Architects.
The upgraded wing will feature 10 beds, down from the wing’s previous 15. Architects said this decrease is necessary to increase the size of each room to accommodate for better healthcare standards and modern equipment.
“The old rooms were small, cramped and outdated,” said Scott Kirchner, principal architect with BWBR Architects. “So what we’re doing currently is, we’re demolishing all that wing over there on the inside. We’re keeping the shell of the building, and we are going to create two brand new modernized patient rooms for every three that we took.”
Two of the rooms will be dedicated to airborne infections with dedicated air circulation units for each bed. This allows doctors to keep patients with airborne illnesses from spreading infection throughout the hospital.
Additionally, two rooms will be completely ADA accessible to accommodate for patients with disabilities.
Other upgrades will include new A/C units for the hospital wing, a dedicated toilet and shower for every room, expanded nurse station, a new generator for electrical outages, and expanded rest areas for hospital staff.
“Rural health care in Mississippi is a struggle, and we’re working diligently day in and day out just to make that happen,” said Robert Weathersby, Chief Operating Officer, Southwest Regional Medical Center. “So, anytime we have the opportunity to improve the healthcare from an infrastructure standpoint, from improved equipment and modernizing our facilities, it’s a wonderful thing.”
The project was funded through am $8.6 million grant spearheaded by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
“We have a little less than 3 million people in Mississippi, but most of us live in rural areas,” said Hyde-Smith. “And the healthcare there is just as important as it is in any big city hospital.”
Construction is expected to conclude during the summer of 2027. During that time, Lawrence County Hospitals said they don’t expect delays due to ongoing construction.
“We’re still here,” said Weathersby. “We’re still able to provide the highest level of care for those individuals who are seeking it. So don’t hesitate to come to Lawrence County Hospital if the need arises.”