In the past meetings of the WinnMed Board of Trustees, following a public hearing July 12 with no comment presented, members approved action to begin work on the north parking lot expansion as part of first steps toward remodeling their parking at the center. The plan should add 21 stalls in the first phase, then an additional 96 stalls, totaling 636 parking spaces once the project is complete. The project with all phases is estimated at $725,000 and will also help with grade and stormwater drainage. Bids will be let and construction should begin this fall.
Space is being renovated near the newly-opened Wound Center in preparation for the opening of an on-campus pharmacy, following the purchase of Donlon Pharmacy in June. Demolition of the space that will become the WinnMed Pharmacy began in late July. It is intended to open late 2023, but timing will be dependent on the construction schedule. WinnMed is working with a project consultant and current Donlon Pharmacy staff on business operations planning.
At the Aug. 2 meeting the board discussed the possibility of partnering with the Mayo Clinic Store to also provide Durable Medical Equipment. The proposed contract would be a seven-year lease of space adjacent to the pharmacy in the North Building on the WinnMed campus, with additional payments during the first three years to recoup the estimated $231,000 in space renovation costs, to be completed concurrently with the pharmacy remodeling and anticipated open in February 2024.
During the discussion, the question was raised if the Mayo Clinic Store, based out of Minnesota, would be able to bill Iowa Medicaid customers. The board approved the lease agreement and renovation costs of the North Building contingent upon the Mayo Clinic Store’s acceptance of appropriate payers to meet the needs of the community.
The June financials for the hospital were presented, with CFO Ben Stevens reporting revenues from June at $1 million over budget, which was “a solid finish to the fiscal year.” He also noted he was still working towards the end of year financial audit for 2022-23. The USDA loan for the Transforming Tomorrow campaign was reported under review, and a bit behind schedule. There is still hope to be able to put the project out for bid yet this fall, and break ground shortly after.
At the July 12 board meeting, a resolution was passed to borrow up to $45,000,000 and issue hospital revenue bonds toward the addition of two new additions to the clinics, a surgery addition, renovations to the current clinic spaces, the labor and delivery departments and surgical department in addition to site improvements on campus.
It is estimated the whole project would be complete within five years. Dr. Thomas Marquardt stated, “We’re at capacity now, we need some brick and mortar improvements.” He then added that the WinnMed project had the support of the Mayo affiliates in southeast Minnesota.
The board reviewed their ambulance response and noted they do charge for non-emergent lifting services provided to residents in response to 911 calls after a number of lifting-only responses within a timeframe.
The next WinnMed Board of Trustees meeting will be held Sept. 6 in Meeting room B of the facility.
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