Gundersen St. Joseph's appreciates community's patience as new hospital details are finalized

Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital and Clinics is getting closer to finalizing plans for a new Hospital and Clinic in Hillsboro, pending board approval.

"Our goal is to have an outstanding facility that will serve our patients and their families for many years," says Danni Gearhart, chief executive officer, Gundersen St. Joseph's. "Pre-construction planning is very important, and we want to be thoughtful as we move toward building a facility that will make the community proud and maintain the high level of care they've come to expect from us."

Gundersen St. Joseph's is working with architecture firm HGA Architects and construction management firm CD Smith as partners in this project.

Along with planning and design work, Gundersen St. Joseph's continues to gather community feedback and work with the Gundersen Health System Board of Trustees and Regional Services team to finalize project financing, property acquisition, and services and procedures to be offered at the future Hospital and Clinic to ensure patients receive the best care close to home.

Gundersen St. Joseph's has grown in recent years, bringing a new dimension to the planning process. The team involved is committed to developing a building that will account for further growth, enhance patient privacy, comfort and experience, increase efficiencies for staff, and have the agility to navigate the ever changing landscape of healthcare.

As well as comprehensive planning meetings during the summer, Gundersen St. Joseph's has completed the acquisition of two properties to the east of the current facility and most recently conducted soil borings to understand the geological make-up of the site. The process of clearing the site has also gotten underway.

"We're grateful for the community's patience as we finalize these pieces of the puzzle and move closer to making this project a reality," Gearhart says.

Final plans for the new facility will be submitted to the boards of Gundersen Health System and Gundersen St. Joseph's for approval.