USDA official visits new Willard CMH

Under Secretary Small announces $222 million infrastructure investment
 
Xochitl Torres Small, USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, visited the nearly completed CMH Medical Center and Walk-In facility in Willard on Friday, Nov. 19, in observance of National Rural Health Day. During her visit, Small toured the building and visited with members of the staff.
In a speech, Small said the Willard Medical Center was a vital resource that would make health care more readily available for those living in the community.
“The Willard Medical Center is an essential facility for southern Missouri,” she said. “Once completed, this 8,300 square foot clinic will improve health care access for the 5,000 people who call this region home. USDA invested $3 million to make this clinic reality, and soon their doors will be open to the community.”
Small later said the medical center was the result of a “successful partnership” between Rural Development and CMH, and she hoped to use feedback she received during the visit to help recreate similar partnerships in other rural communities.
“This is their fifth project that Rural Development has helped fund for CMH,” she said. “And so, hearing about what has made that partnership successful, (we’re looking at) how … Rural Development (can) continue to invest in communities and build those partnerships, so we can do similar things throughout the country.”
During her visit, Small also announced that the government would be making a significant investment to help build up rural communities.
“We’re here visiting this important place today,” she said while addressing the public, “because Rural Development is announcing $222 million in investments in community infrastructure just like the Willard Medical Center in rural places across the country. The investments announced today will fund essential community services that will help keep rural America resilient in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The projects will finance emergency response vehicles and equipment; build or improve hospitals and clinics; and combat food insecurity.”
During her visit, Small met with Ty Jones, a senior at Willard High School who plans to go to medical school and become a doctor specializing in cardiology or surgery. Jones, 18, called meeting Small “phenomenal.”
“It was really interesting to have a lady come in and care about our little community and help improve rural health care,” he said.
The CMH Medical Center and Walk-In Clinic is located at 502 S. Miller Road in Willard, next to Apple Market, and is scheduled to open on Monday, Dec. 6. A ribbon cutting and open house celebrating the facility’s opening will be held at noon Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.