Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas, the philanthropic arm of Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas, has announced a $5 million gift from the Walmart Foundation.

The gift will enable the hospital to purchase the latest medical technology, attract top-tier physicians, and offer new services for those in the region. In addition, it will support the construction of a new interventional radiology suite, which will feature the most up-to-date medical equipment, including a robot-controlled system that uses imaging techniques to show blood flow and guide minimally invasive treatments for various conditions; and bolster other expansion plan projects, to be announced soon.

“The Walmart Foundation’s generous gift to Mercy Health Foundation NWA is a significant step toward Mercy’s goal to enhance health care in northwest Arkansas,” said Mercy Arkansas Communities president Ryan Gehrig. “With this support, Mercy can offer new procedures and treatments that were previously out of reach. Eliminating the necessity for our patients to travel far away from their loved ones in times of need is central to our expansion, and we’re grateful to Walmart Foundation for its support to make health care better in our community.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Hispanolistic)