By Dennis Seid, Daily Journal
March 24, 2108
On Friday, they were joined by city and business leaders to officially break ground on the 32,700-square-foot building that should be completed by JESCO Construction in the first quarter of next year.
And the $11.5-million project also will provide another economic boost – some 50 new jobs will be created, joining the 40 already working at the practice, including four surgeons and two nurse practitioners.
“In just two short years since Specialty Orthopedic Group first opened in Tupelo, it has become deeply embedded in our community, supporting our schools, our nonprofits and more,” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton. “As a city, we are grateful for their support and look forward to your continued success in Tupelo. Thank you for choosing Tupelo and helping Tupelo grow.”
Sparky Luster, the administrator and CEO of Specialty Orthopedic Group, said building the new facility was a goal of theirs when it formed three years ago. It is now housed in the Longtown Medical Park on Eason Boulevard.
Luster said a mentor several years ago who went through a similar process to build a facility like this one told him the key was to have the right doctors.
“We do have the right doctors,” Luster said, looking at the surgeons – Drs. Tyler Marks, Taylor Mathis, Richard Rainey and Rowland Roberson. “It’s on display by your work in the OR, your compassion with how you treat your patients in clinic, your respective kindness you show our staff, your gracious giving to local charities and sponsorships, your financial commitment in this community for infrastructure and creating jobs.”
Specialty Orthopedic Group’s new facility will have 22 exam rooms, a physical therapy exercise and treatment facility with a therapy pool, two on-site digital x-ray areas and an outpatient surgical center with four operating rooms and four private recovery suites.
Rainey, a Tupelo native, said he was happy to be able to work in his hometown.
“I am so proud to have the opportunity to share my skills with the community which invested so much of itself in me,” he said. “Thank you for trusting and believing in us. We couldn’t be who we are and what we are without the confidence and support of our community.”
The project is the largest non-hospital related investment on South Gloster Street to date.
dennis.seid@journalinc.com Twitter: @dennisseid