The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved a major expansion of services at the hospital’s Carmi outreach clinic, aiming to better serve patients in White County and the surrounding region. At Monday’s board meeting, Vice President of Professional Services Andrew Kleinschmidt outlined plans to increase the hospital’s lease at the Carmi facility from just one day per week to full-time occupancy. The expanded location will allow Wabash General Hospital to boost orthopedic coverage, consider adding urgent care services, upgrade radiology equipment, and potentially open a rural health clinic with expanded lab and rehabilitation therapy services. According to the approved plan, partial occupancy of the clinic will begin July 1, with full occupancy set for October 1. The new lease agreement will last 63 months, with initial rent for partial space just over $4,800 per month, rising to about $15,600 monthly once the entire building is occupied. Hospital officials estimate startup and equipment costs at around $380,000, including expenses for radiology upgrades, new IT infrastructure, and rehabilitation equipment. The board approved expenditures not to exceed $400,000 for the project. Kleinschmidt said the current one-day-per-week clinic handles about 700 patient accounts annually, but expects that number to at least double with expanded services. He also highlighted a 47% increase in patient revenue from White County between 2024 and 2025, along with improved insurance payer mix in the area. The Carmi clinic, which has served the community since 2016, is located along Oak Street near Huck’s in Carmi. Hospital leaders say the expansion will provide much-needed access to advanced medical care for local residents.