Ground Breaking set for RHSHC expansion

CRESCO - Regional Health Services of Howard County (RHSHC) will be hosting a Ground Breaking Ceremony and Tree “Memorial” Planting on Wednesday, May 31 at 3 p.m.  

The ground breaking and planting will take place on the northeast side of the hospital/clinic building.

A multi-million dollar expansion/remodel will be getting started for RHSHC. The Clinic has architectural plans approved, and construction bids have already been let and approved for early summer construction.

A large crowd is expected for the ceremony with representatives coming from Senator Joni Ernst, Sentor Chuck Grassley and Ashley Hinson offices.  Also attending will be area State Senator Mike Klimesh (District 32) and State Representive Michael Bergan (District 63), plus area mayors, city council members and more. 

The Tree Memorial Planting is in honor of George Willis and Allen Moudry, who were both on the RHSHC Board of Trustees for many years. Two trees will be planted in memory of the duo, who were also both involved with the hospital expansion several years back. 

The new clinic space has been designed and old clinic space re-designed, with several changes in mind. A pod, or healthcare provider’s work area, will include the provider’s office, three exam rooms, a procedure room and a nurses’ station. Sometimes there will be a team pod for providers who work together closely on patient care.

New clinician space is being added as an expansion for additional healthcare providers – there have been three new providers added to RHSHC staff just this year – as well as to create efficiency of operation. The existing clinic is approximately 12,000 square feet. The new expansion will increase the size by approximately 4,700 square feet.

One of the bigger challenges in this expansion/remodel is how to accomplish it without interrupting patient care. But that challenge has been addressed and met. 

“We will stay fully operational during the project,” CEO/Administor Robin Schluter stated. “We will build the clinic addition first on the north side of the facility. Get that all done. Then we will open that, move operations into the new side, and remodel the existing clinic, then expand into both areas.”

A new clinic entrance will be built early on. Like the ER/main entrance, this entrance will face East and include a covered walkway. 

“The interior is designed to mimic the main entrance,” Schluter said. “We’re keeping the interior look similar throughout the whole hospital to create a cohesive look for the facility.”

The parking areas will also be an early portion of the project. The existing clinic parking area will go away to accommodate the expansion, but a whole new section of parking will be added on the East side of the facility, between existing parking areas. This will not only increase parking space overall, it will also mean that all parking on the campus will be connected.