WinnMed to launch $50 million facility renovation project

The WinnMed Board of Trustees has approved a $50 million, 2 1/2-year facility expansion and remodeling project in Decorah.

The regional healthcare provider has reported that the “Transforming Tomorrow” project will be financed in large part by low-interest USDA loans, with the remainder of the funding coming from WinnMed dollars and loans from local banks.

Following a public bidding process that concluded in November, WinnMed leadership presented a recommendation to the Board of Trustees at the Dec. 6 meeting to proceed with the base bid.

The base bid included all elements of the project except the renovation of the current clinic space, which was bid as an alternate. The Board approved this recommendation through four separate resolutions that allow WinnMed leadership to engage in financing and construction plans.

The project includes:

  • A new, fully renovated birthing unit featuring a labor, delivery, recovery, postpartum (LDRP) suites, and direct access from obstetrics to surgery for patients needing a C-section.
  • An expanded surgery area to include larger rooms to accommodate new technology and an additional operating room to meet the growing volume of their surgical practice.
  • A two-story addition to house expanded primary and specialty clinics to the north of the current clinic building, allowing for additional access, growth, a better patient experience, and promotion of team based care.

“We are investing in facilities, staff and technology, and are actively recruiting physicians to join the Mayo Clinic Health System primary and specialty care practice here at WinnMed,” says Chief Medical Officer Thomas Marquardt.  “These are exciting times to be part of WinnMed as it grows into the future.”

WinnMed representatives said renovations of the existing clinic space will be completed outside of Transforming Tomorrow as a capital project, pending the financial feasibility of this additional work in the future. Work is expected to take about 2 ½ years.

“The team is outlining a plan that will allow for work to progress with minimal disruption to patient care activities,” according to Steve Slessor, WinnMed’s Chief Administrative Officer.  “Patients will notice the construction, but we will ‘choreograph’ changes so services can continue at or near capacity.”

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