An expanded Specialty Clinic is a highlight of the renovation project just completed at Grundy County Memorial Hospital. The public is invited to tour the hospital project on Sunday, November 19 – 11:00 – 1:00 p.m. Photo submitted

GRUNDY CENTER The Grundy County Memorial Hospital is introducing members of the public to the results of a construction effort that is providing more space for the hospital’s fastest growing health care services. While the renovation work has taken place over the past eighteen months, planning for the project began almost fifteen years ago.

“The completion of our Specialty Clinic expansion and second floor renovation means that the entire 65-year old hospital is new again,” explains Ryan Bingman, hospital Director of Operations. “Other than the exterior brick, the original building is restored, including roof, windows, walls, lighting, heating and cooling.” Bingman explains that the much-needed upgrade has been part of the hospital’s three-phase facility improvement plan that began with construction of a new Outpatient Services area and clinic space for visiting specialists ten years ago.

“We’re utilizing yesterday’s space for delivering today’s health care services,” remarks Jennifer Havens, CEO. “The hospital has experienced substantial growth in Outpatient Services, so the need to renovate the oldest portion of the building provided the perfect opportunity to provide more space to fast growing services like the Specialty Clinic.”

The Specialty Clinic opened in 2006 as part of the hospital’s first modernization project, but ten years later, it was bursting at the seams. More than 7,500 patient visits each year to fifteen or more specialists meant the hospital had no room to expand the services offered. With the completion of the renovation, the Specialty Clinic now offers three additional exam rooms, a new procedure room, and office space for visiting providers and nurses. “In the past year, we’ve added an ear, nose and throat specialty and the flexibility of the additional space gives us the option to welcome more providers in the future,” remarks Lynn Blythe, Ambulatory Services manager. “We’ve also created an expanded Outpatient Services registration area, and a re-designed lobby provides privacy and comfortable space for patients as they arrive and check-in for services,” adds Blythe.

Other significant changes were made to the hospital’s Radiology & Imaging department, Pharmacy, and to administrative and support staff workspace.

The event on Sunday, November 19, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offers a chance for tours of the remodeled areas, as well as children’s activities and refreshments. A highlight of the event is the unveiling of the hospital Foundation’s new Legacy Wall, a tribute to the 65-year history of GCMH spurred by the work of the Foundation’s history committee members Mary Doak, Kate Durbin, Jim Morrison and Tootie Teasdale. The display is in the hallway of the hospital that links the 2009 Inpatient and Emergency addition to the original 1952 hospital building.

“It is extremely satisfying to know that we’re celebrating the completion of a three-phase

plan started many years ago,” says Havens. “Our patients have responded to the availability of close-to-home health care services, and our communities have responded with generous donations that support our renovation and expansion plans. We’re grateful for the opportunity to show off our new space!”

Graham Construction of Des Moines and Cedar Rapids served as the construction manager for the project, while Cardinal Construction and Young Plumbing and Heating of Waterloo were among the contractors. Grundy County Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital in Grundy Center, affiliated with UnityPoint Health Allen Hospital and the UnityPoint Health system.