Thursday, February 22, 2018
Memorial Medical Center: Small Hospital, Big
Difference, Brighter Future! In November of 2016, Memorial Medical Center
announced the building of a new $40 million facility to continue to serve the
health care needs of Clark County and the surrounding area. The new
facility is expected to be completed by the spring of 2020.
In order to keep the community informed, here’s the
latest on the progress of the project:
“They are currently finalizing the scope of the
specialty care design and they are updating the final timeline of the
project. Also, now that the ordinance from
the city has passed, they are applying for a building permit in the Town of
Pine Valley.
Also, MMC feels that it’s important they move
efficiently on this construction project and cannot get delayed. The professional clinical staffs, consisting
of medical providers, nurses, therapists and technologists are in demand
throughout the region, and the idea of working in a technologically advanced
facility helps retention and recruitment of trained employees. Timing also provides a platform for our
medical center to be sustainable financially for many years to come.”
Memorial Medical Center is also answering any question you
may have like this one:
"Q: Why a new facility?
A: Memorial Hospital Inc. was erected in 1954 by then
President of the Board Herbert M. Smith and funded federally through the Hill
Burton Act of 1946 to expand services to low populated communities.
Medicine at that time was delivered predominantly through inpatient
care. Patients routinely would be admitted, diagnosed and treated
spanning over several days or weeks and insurance companies dictating care was
non-existent. It was common for MMC to be at capacity with its 34
hospital beds and 198 nursing home beds. Today through advances in
technology, specialty care and insurance oversight, care is delivered mostly on
an outpatient basis. In 2016, 94% of patient volume at MMC was delivered
as an outpatient however the majority of our square footage is designated for
hospital use. On a daily basis, MMC experiences a shortage of clinic and
procedure rooms but have empty inpatient beds. Regulations do not allow
us to utilize hospital designated space for outpatient space and the cost to
remodel and meet new codes would be cost prohibited."
"Q: What are we building?
A: Our vision for MMC is to be the medical campus that
caters to advanced outpatient services such as primary/specialty care, diagnostics,
same-day surgery, wellness/rehabilitation and comprehensive programs such as
cancer and heart. Our inpatient bed capacity will decrease from 25 beds
to 16 beds however our operating rooms will increase from 1 to 2 suites.
Many people have to drive to over 30 minutes to receive specialty outpatient
services that MMC could provide with new space. MMC is currently in
conversations to partner with specialists from Marshfield and Eau Claire to
deliver those service in our new building locally. The opportunity to
host additional specialists on a consistent basis with the right technology has
been exciting for both MMC and the Marshfield Clinic. In addition, the
new building will improve technology for our trauma program, potentially adding
a community wellness center and continue to support a new 50 bed skilled
nursing facility with a short term rehabilitation program and assisted living
center."
"Q: How are we able to
build?
A: Financials continue to improve, gross has increased
26% since 2013 and we average 100 new patients per month for a variety of
services. As a result, MMC has qualified for a USDA hospital replacement
loan available for rural service areas, similar to the program the 1954 MMC
administration took advantage of. Our strategy as an independent
organization is to deliver modern medicine you need locally by enhancing our
current services and expanding our scope of services through
partnerships."
"Q: Since MMC just renovated for an Assisted
Living about 6 years ago, are they taking this with them or are they giving
that up to Neillsville Care & Rehab? What benefit would they have in
keeping it?
A: MMC is currently discussing with Grant Thayer,
President of Neillsville Care and Rehab, the details of the future
campus. We anticipate a brand new assisted living center being adjacent
and utilizing common services as the skilled nursing home. As residents
in assisted living often needing skilled nursing care, we anticipate
Neillsville Care and Rehab operating the assisted living center”
“Q: Where is the new facility going to be located?
A: If all goes according to plan, at 3700 River
Avenue.”
"Q: Why are we building outside on River
Ave?
A: MMC identified six potential sites for the new
medical center. Rankings were completed using eleven criterions-and River
Ave was among the top 2 sites. In February, MMC’s civil engineer met with
the city and we identified the potential of expanding city sewer under the
river, however MMC would need to cover the cost. River Ave provides space
to expand into a medical campus, has visibility/access to route 10 and even
with investments of necessary permits this site is within our budget."
"Q: Do you know what's going to happen with the old
facility?
A: Not yet. They do have some time to start to identify
potential suitors for the building. They're hoping that somebody will find an
interest in this to better the economy of Neillsville. They've had a few
preliminary talks with a few interested parties. All very exciting; however,
they've asked not to be revealed at this time as they are still seeing how
feasible it is for them."
"Q: What's going to happen to the loan acquired by MMC
through the City of Neillsville?
A: Their current debt they have to do their internal
renovations is on hold. So, they currently have 80% of that loan still sitting
in the bank. Part of the USDA Loan Process is they're allowed to refinance all
of their current debt. So, as they successfully receive this loan, they will
then pay off all their debt, including the loan that the city assisted them to
receive. By first or second quarter, probably second quarter of 2017, all those
debts will be forgiven."
If you have any questions you'd like answered, feel free to
submit your questions to WCCN's News Director by e-mail or contact form.
Or you may contact MMC's CEO, Ryan Neville.
posted by Unknown at 11:30 AM | Email Us
Previous Posts
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...
- Memorial Medical Center New Hospital Project Updat...