Black River Technical College (BRTC) Foundation member and Lawrence Healthcare President Josh Conlee presented information to the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Monday about the Lawrence Healthcare System and how a one cent sales tax renewal that will be voted on August 8 effects the Lawrence Healthcare System.
The one cent sales tax goes directly to helping fund the hospital in Lawrence County.
Conlee showcased the Lawrence Healthcare system which includes the Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence Hall Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Center, Lawrence Memorial Hospital Family Medical Center, and Lawrence Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic.
The system employees approximately 260 fulltime employees. “Sixty percent of our employees live in or are originally from Lawrence County,” Conlee said. “We are in the community, we are the community.”
The healthcare system covers a wide array of area residents’ healthcare needs including observation beds, emergency, radiology, family care and diagnostic services.
Lawrence Hall Health and Rehabilitation Nursing Center has also begun in-house dialysis for residents allowing those patients to stay at home to receive dialysis treatments. Normally residents have to travel to Jonesboro for dialysis which costs money and time.
Walnut Ridge Mayor Charles Snapp said, “If we don’t get the renewal of this mileage, the future of Walnut Ridge will change dramatically.”
The vote for the renewal of the one cent sales tax will take place on August 8.
BRTC’s Office of Institutional Advancement consisting of Vice President of Institutional Advancement Karen Liebhaber, Development Specialist Shawna Lepard, Communications Specialist Jessica Rainwater, and Marketing Specialist Michael Guthrey were on hand to support Conlee at the meeting.
Through partnerships with individuals, businesses, organizations, and local communities, the BRTC Foundation aids in the development and enhancement of programs, facilities, and student opportunities. The Foundation has been instrumental in many activities including providing access to special cultural activities including the annual Holocaust Survivor Series, working with partners to award more than $68,000 in student scholarships, support important historical and preservation work through Project REACH, and providing access to grant opportunities aimed at non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education.
The purpose of the Black River Technical College Foundation is to assist with development and enhancement of programs and facilities; to assist in providing broader educational opportunities and services to students, staff, alumni, and the community and to receive, hold, and administer gifts or grants.
For more information about the BRTC Foundation, visit https://blackrivertech.org/brtc-foundation.