Looking to enhance health care options for Council Bluffs and western Iowa families, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital broke ground on a 60,000-square-foot medical office building on Thursday, Sept. 20.
Hospital, Methodist Health System and Methodist Physicians Clinic representatives, along with Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh, were present.
Steve Baumert, president and CEO of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, first announced the $18 million project in May.
“This is very exciting for our community,” Baumert said. “For more than 130 years, families have trusted Methodist Jennie Edmundson from the birth of their child to a love one’s last days and everything in between. We value that relationship and people’s trust in us. This project demonstrates our commitment to and investment in improved community health for generations to come.”
Bound by Ridge, Kanesville and East Pierce Streets, the new building will become home to primary care physicians, women’s services and urgent care services. A healing garden will be a highlight of the exterior and provide a calming retreat for patients and staff.
The first floor of the medical office building will provide clinic space for approximately 15 Methodist Physicians Clinic primary care providers. It will also include an imaging suite, as well as a new Urgent Care location with easy access and extended hours.
Another important aspect to the new building is a focus on women’s health care. Women’s services will be located on the second floor and feature up to six women’s health experts, as well as outreach clinic opportunities with Methodist Women’s Hospital maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
“Methodist Health System is dedicated to extending our women’s services to a broader audience throughout western Iowa,” said Steve Goeser, president and CEO, Methodist Health System. “This will allow Methodist Jennie Edmundson to serve as the health system’s eastern edge for women’s services, something we are extremely excited about.”
Use of the third floor is yet to be determined, but officials are in discussions with a number of potential physician groups.
“Methodist Jennie Edmundson and Methodist Physicians Clinic have experienced tremendous growth in recent years and currently have no room for expansion,” said Dr. Dan Kinney, chairman of the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital board of directors. “This new, state-of-the art facility will allow for more residents to get the health care they need in a timely fashion. I know I speak on behalf of the entire board of directors that we could not be more enthusiastic to share this with our community.”
In conjunction with the new medical office building a new employee parking lot is currently under construction. The new lot, which will be located closer to the hospital entrances, will improve hospital employee access and safety.
Construction of the medical office building is underway with completion anticipated by early 2020.
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