SOUTH CAMPUS EXPANSION
Beyond the Curb Appeal OUR LEADERS TALK ABOUT WHAT A NEW HOSPITAL MEANS FOR MARSHALLTOWN Jen Arneson started her medical career at the hospital in Marshalltown. Professionally, she’s grown up inside its walls and has many fond memories of the campus situated by the downtown district. However, there’s little room for sentimental value when it comes to the future of health care. Twenty-five years into her career, Arneson can’t wait until for the next chapter across town. That’s because UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown is expanding and transforming its modern medical park into a fully functioning hospital. The new facility is expected to be ready for patients by spring 2022. “Health care has changed and continues to change, so it’s time to have the right space for the right time,” said Arneson, who became the Director of Nursing for the hospital in 2020. “The current building was appropriate for health care that was delivered a generation ago. Marshalltown deserves to have a state-of-the-art facility to meet the needs of today.” The new hospital is a testament to the commitment UnityPoint Health is making to Marshalltown. It’s a $38.4 million project that will be a stately landmark at the intersections of highways 30 and 14. But this project goes far beyond curb appeal. One hundred years after the first hospital was built, there’s an opportunity to make a quantum leap of progress that will dramatically impact the patient experience. “This building project gives us the opportunity to provide patient-centered care to our community well into the future,”
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said Shari King, Hospital Administrator. “We need a new facility that will carry us into the future, with enhanced patient and family experience, smooth and efficient workflows all in a safe and inviting physical facility – while adapting to the everchanging healthcare landscape.”
INPATIENT CARE Obviously, the new hospital is a game-changer for inpatients and their families. It will offer a state-of-the-art experience with rooms double the size of the current ones. These larger rooms will easily accommodate visitors and caregivers, while including walk-in showers for every patient. Furthermore, the medical/surgical area will be a very short elevator ride from the emergency department, and all ancillary services will be nearby.
EMERGENCY CARE Moving the emergency department into a custom-built addition of the new hospital is a difference-maker, as well. The new ER will feature generously sized rooms that won’t be shared with other patients. As a result, patients will enjoy a comfortable and private space that provides adequate space for family members and increased privacy. There will also be room for specialty equipment, which will allow certain procedures and tests to be done conveniently inside each room. Furthermore, having all UnityPoint Health services under the same roof will allow the ER to easily coordinate with other departments for things like CT scanning and MRIs. “Knowing that we’re going to be able to simply raise the
