State-of-the-art facility in Fergus Falls to be complete in late 2015
FERGUS FALLS, Minn.) – Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) has broken ground on its new Fergus Falls main clinic on West Vernon Ave. The state-of-the-art facility is slated to open late 2015 with a temporary entrance and parking lot. The final demolition of the old clinic and completion of the parking area will occur mid-2016.
“The clinic building plan is a crucial first step of a master facility plan that accounts for the changes and growth needed across the Lake Region Healthcare campus for the next 30+ years,” Larry Schulz, President & CEO of LRH, said. “We have grown from 46 to over 80 medical providers in the last three years and added several specialty care services. As needs change and as the role of technology changes, the community deserves a facility that can accommodate what patients will need and expect for quality healthcare.”
All of the current clinic practices will move to the clinic, along with the addition of Same Day Surgical Services. The new building will be approximately 80,000 square feet, an increase of 20,000 square feet over the current facility. “We have simply outgrown our current facility and research has indicated the cost to update the exiting & inefficient infrastructure exceeded cost of new construction,” Schulz said. “In addition, the new clinic’s “Health Care Home” care model and inclusion of Same Day Surgery will help us align with the future of health care delivery, which is moving toward more preventive and out-patient care in relation to inpatient hospitalizations,” he added.
LRH will transition all existing operations to the new clinic over a period of time to maintain operations. Once moving is complete, the old clinic will be demolished and replaced with parking.
“The current clinic will remain operational during construction to maintain continuity of all services. The entrance between Mill and Cascade streets will remain open, and patient drop-off will be maintained,” Schulz said. “We will keep the community updated throughout the construction process via the media and our website. This clinic is a great step forward for all of us, and we are excited to be able to elevate our level of care and service.”
For more information on the new clinic and updates, visit the media center link at www.lrhc.org.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional health care partner. With over 80 medical staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
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Attached Photo:
Hal Leland, Mayor of Fergus Falls
Dr. Gregory Smith, Lake Region Medical Group President
Solveig Halbakken, LRH Board of Trustees Vice Chair & Secretary
Larry Schulz, LRH President & CEO
Thad Olsen, Bremer Bank
Lisa Workman, Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Betsey Petersen, LRH Staff Representative
Julia Nelmark, MMCDC