centreville — While some rural hospitals nationwide may remain on financial life support, one Mississippi hospital is showing signs of health.

Field Health System — formerly Field Memorial Community Hospital and Clinics in Centreville — will cut the ribbon on its new facility at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

The more than $20 million new facility is located at 178 U.S. 24 in Centreville.

And with more than 60,000 square feet housing brand-new equipment, the new facility is something to celebrate, said Dawn Miley, Field Health System business development coordinator.

“The community deserves this,” Miley said. “It was long overdue.”

The hospital’s former location was 270 W. Main St. in Centreville.

Because the hospital — which first opened in 1973 — was in the heart of downtown, Miley said it was difficult for emergency vehicles to easily reach the facility.

Now located right off the highway, the hospital will feature easy access and a few other new amenities that will make operations run more smoothly, Miley said.

“All of our equipment is new and state-of-the-art,” she said. “The way the old hospital was laid out was pieced together, so it wasn’t efficient for transferring patients. That will all be changed now.”

The new hospital will also include a helipad for emergency landings.

District 97 Rep. Sam Mims said with the health care landscape constantly changing, rural hospitals must stay as up to date as possible.

“The health care industry must adapt to those changes,” Mims said, who is the public health and human services chairman for the state. “Rural hospitals need to reinvent themselves.

“I’m very proud of this new facility, and hope it will continue to provide great health care services to residents of Southwest Mississippi.”

Miley said the hospital would continue to offer all services previously provided at its former location.

“When you pick up the newspaper, you see so many hospitals closing, consolidating or selling out,” Miley said. “I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a small community.”

An open house and tours will follow the ribbon cutting at 6 p.m.