New ownership of Poplar Bluff Health Clinic plans to retain current staff and expand services

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (KFVS) - Missouri Highlands Healthcare will purchase the St. Francis Hospital campus in Poplar Bluff after the healthcare system reached out about selling the facility.

That’s according to the company’s CEO, Karen White.

White said the company plans to retain as many current employees as possible once the sale is completed.

“That has been our intention, to not only take over the building and the campus, but also our desire is to employ everybody that is there,” she said.

White acknowledged the timing of the purchase is challenging, but said the company’s commitment to the region remains unchanged.

“We want to ensure and build upon the foundation of healthcare that exists right now and will be there in the future,” she said. “We are super excited to be able to expand upon a pipeline approach to bringing a whole new generation of folks into healthcare.”

The only major change planned is closing the surgery center wing to make room for a larger dental clinic and women’s healthcare clinic.

Surgery center employees are being encouraged to apply for positions at the Poplar Bluff campus or any of Missouri Highlands’ other 30 locations, White told us, as Missouri Highlands does not offer surgery services.

She said the company wants to build on what the clinic already offers to patients and employees.

St. Francis will maintain a presence in Poplar Bluff, working with Missouri Highlands on specialty care.

The campus will open under new ownership on February 2, 2026, offering urgent care initially, then all services two weeks later.