WinnMed’s Transforming Tomorrow project receives Board approval

WinnMed continues to grow to meet the needs of the broader eight-county region. This growth includes the Transforming Tomorrow project, which involves a major facility expansion and remodel on the Decorah campus.

Following a public bidding process that concluded in November, WinnMed leadership presented a recommendation to the Board of Trustees at the December 6, 2023 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.

Transforming Tomorrow project costs are budgeted at $50 million and will be financed in large part by low-interest USDA loans. The remaining balance will be funded by WinnMed dollars and loans from local banks. 

Transforming Tomorrow Highlights

• A new, fully renovated birthing unit that features all 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.  To stay within the project budget of $50 million, 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.

Next Steps

Once Transforming Tomorrow work begins, Steve Slessor, WinnMed’s Chief Administrative Officer, believes the work will take approximately 2.5 years. He says, “The team is outlining a plan that will allow for work to progress with minimal disruption to patient care activities. Patients will notice the construction, but we will ‘choreograph’ changes so services can continue at or near capacity.”

Chief Medical Officer Thomas Marquardt, D.P.M. says, “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.  These are exciting times to be part of WinnMed as it grows into the future.”