Abstract:
A trip to upstate New York by Johnston Memorial Hospital president Leland Farnell developed into an idea of how to solve the hospital's need for more space because of the growing county's needs. There he had seen physicians and medical services housed together in a mall like so many Gaps, Old Navys, and Disney Stores. Smithfield's 1907 Burlington Industries yarn mill was standing empty. The renovated mill is now the two-year-old Johnston County Medical Mall that has a health and fitness center, a café, conference facilities, an auditorium, a cutting-edge wound treatment center, a medical supply company, and space for physician practices. Further expansion of undeveloped areas is planned.