Big things can happen from even the smallest of conversations.

“It is hard to believe two years ago we began discussions about the parking lot being in poor condition,” said Matt Foster, secretary-treasurer of the Monroe County Hospital and Clinics’ board of trustees, during a groundbreaking ceremony this fall to expand and renovate the hospital in Albia.

“That parking lot conversation spurred concerns about the facility’s heating, cooling and ventilation needs. And before we knew it, we were working on a full fiscally responsible master plan,” Foster said.

During the planning process, hospital leadership, staff and community members reviewed data on patient volumes, talked about how best to serve Monroe County residents and discussed the vision for what health care might look in the future.

“Our guiding principles in the process focused on establishing Monroe County Hospital and Clinics as a primary care facility that is excellent in meeting the needs of the community, is a place where physicians, nurses and all employees want to work, as well as establishes a foundation for the future of health and wellness in the entire county,” Foster said.

Rural Development funding
The nearly $20 million project is mainly funded through USDA Rural Development, along with a partnership with Chariton Valley Electric and Northeast Missouri Electric Power cooperatives.

“We are excited to be a partner in this project with Monroe County Hospital and Clinics,” said Grant Menke, USDA Rural Development state director in Iowa. “Helping rural communities provide easy access to quality health care is an important emphasis for USDA Rural Development. Projects like these only come together through partnerships, dedication and the coordinated efforts of many people working toward the same goal.”

PARTNERSHIP: “Helping rural communities provide easy access to quality health care is an important emphasis for USDA Rural Development,” says Grant Menke, state director for the agency in Iowa.

The renovation and expansion include improvements to the medical outpatient clinic, and enhancements to the rehabilitation services, including physical, speech, occupational and respiratory therapy, as well as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. There will also be updates to the pharmacy, a new patient waiting area, main entrance, new heating and cooling systems, and parking lot renovations.

Health care access
“The involvement of our medical staff has been the guiding force helping us through this entire process,” said Veronica Fuhs, chief executive officer for Monroe County Hospital and Clinics. “This project will make a significant difference for health care access opportunities and outcomes for this community and the surrounding areas.”

Construction, divided into three stages, has a target date for completion of November 2020.

“I want to commend the planning committee and everyone who gave input for challenging themselves to come up with ideas that will make the best possible patient experience,” said Tonia Householder, architect with Invision Architecture. “Together, we were able to design a facility that will deliver an unapparelled care experience, placing the patient at the center of that experience.”

The hospital was originally formed in 1909 and moved to its current location in 1982. The facility has undergone many upgrades and expansions during the past 36 years. This expansion will be the largest in the hospital’s 109-year history.

Partnerships help provide leverage
“USDA Rural Development is focused on bringing economic development and prosperity to rural America through improved infrastructure, enhanced innovation and expanded partnerships,” Menke added. “We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and drive the economy. Partnerships help leverage capital and services and this project is a good example.”

SERVICES NEEDED: It’s hard for smaller rural hospitals to keep up with new technology, diagnosis and treatments if they don’t have facilities to attract doctors and trained staff.

Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative and Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative received a combined $4.6 million in rural economic development loans and grants from USDA Rural Development to assist with the project. 

The loans will be passed along to the hospital at 0% interest. The grants will be paid back by the hospital and go into a revolving loan fund managed by the rural electric cooperatives.

“We are proud to have a partnership with the hospital on a project that has long-lasting impacts to health care services and rural economic development,” said Tod Faris, member services and economic development manager, Chariton Valley Electric. “New businesses and business expansions in Appanoose, Monroe, Marion and Wayne, Lucas, Davis, and Wapello counties can tap into this revolving loan fund for their economic development growth.”

Leach is public information officer with USDA Rural Development in Iowa.