Northern Arizona Healthcare Seeks Community Input for Flagstaff Medical Center’s Future
In an effort to engage the community and regain trust, Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) is revisiting plans for the relocation of Flagstaff Medical Center. This initiative follows a previous proposal that was rejected by city voters two years ago.
NAH CEO Dave Chaney emphasized the importance of community input at a recent forum held on Wednesday at the current Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC). “I’ve been trying for two and a half years to build some of that trust back,” Chaney stated. “I’m just going to be honest with you. It was a strategic mistake not to have a plan for this site. We want to hear your ideas. There’s no right or wrong ideas.”
The healthcare organization is currently assessing five potential sites for the new hospital, including the possibility of reconstructing the facility at its existing location. Other options include a property near Fort Tuthill, but the details of the remaining three sites remain undisclosed.
During the forum, community members like Laura Carter raised issues such as affordable housing, suggesting it as a potential use for the current hospital site. “I think we need to address the affordable housing issue here, in this community; progressive senior care, dementia care, moving all the way through. That’s also part of housing,” Carter expressed.
Additional suggestions from residents included creating a new arts center, a detox facility, and spaces for community activities and medical training. Meanwhile, some locals advocated for keeping the FMC at its present location.
A follow-up community forum is scheduled for October 30 at 6 p.m. in the McGee Auditorium on the FMC Campus, allowing for further discussion and feedback.
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