St. Joseph's, Innovis Health medical center opens

PARK RAPIDS ENTERPRISE, Saturday, December 6, 2008
By Liz Shaw

No one says it will be easy, but come 8 a.m. on Monday the doors to St. Joseph's Area Health Services and Innovis Health Park Rapids' medical facility will open.

Just as the sealant on the tile grout dries and windows get one final wipe-down, there is no stopping the barrage of cardboard boxes filing into brand new spaces as Innovis staff make their final walk across the parking lot to their new permanent home.

From the other end, St. Joseph's employees are also hustling to set up the new reception area, ambulatory and outpatient rooms receive final touches before patients arrive, operating rooms turn fully operational, and the gift shop prepares for customers.

It's been a tremendous amount of work, but there is a contained level of excitement and teamwork to make it happen.

"To say that we're excited, just doesn't quite do it," says Cynthia Rooney, St. Joseph's Communication/Development Manager. "We ecstatic."

That excitement is contagious.

"As we approach opening day, the excitement among physicians and staff is so much fun to be a part of," says Laurie Albertson, Innovis Health Division Manager for the Park Rapids, Walker and Menahga facilities. "Even with the insurmountable level of work associated with this relocation, the staff is energized and working together like champions. I am so proud of our team and feel fortunate to work with such a great group of people."

Shared vision

Ben Koppelman, St. Joseph's President/CEO, told volunteers at the annual auxiliary meeting that anyone, staff or the public, who experienced construction first-hand over the last year and a half has gotten a quick lesson on how to appreciate the little things; like parking lots and a paved Pleasant Avenue.

On Monday that appreciation no doubt will grow immeasurably.

Welcoming patients will be a new medical facility that brings greater form and function to the healing mission for patients and guests from the surrounding service areas.

"It took a shared vision by St. Joseph's and Innovis to put the needs of today's patient above all else," Koppelman says. "This building speaks to the efforts our board members, physicians, staff, and community have made to keep quality healthcare strong in our region."

He speaks with great pride about the measures individuals and committees have made to make this a great facility to receive great care for great people.

Albertson finds the facility to be visitor friendly and provides "the space we need to expand and share services while bringing exceptional patient convenience with all healthcare needs being provided under one roof."

Clinic space will practically double, then there's the added luxury of being physically connected to the hospital. New equipment is also a part of this project including a DEXA scanner for bone density, new filmless radiology equipment (digital imaging), power (height adjustable) exam and procedure tables, and numerous renovations/expansions within the hospital space.

New conference and meeting areas are a gift to anyone, from hospital or clinic, who ever had to convene in a makeshift meeting room.

For the hospital, renovations in combination with new construction finds state-of-the-art operating rooms aligned with a brand new 16-bed ambulatory care unit.

St. Joseph's Auxiliary will open its new gift shop, "A Shoppe on Pleasant" shortly. A fun new feature of the shop allows the purchase of fresh flowers around the clock. The auxiliary's new and improved enterprise allows them to continue their philanthropic efforts in support of St. Joseph's.

In January, also look for the new coffee shop, "A Cup of Joe Café" to open. Fresh-brewed java, soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts will also be available. The café which is adjacent to the new courtyard will also offer wireless internet to its visitors.

Ready to greet patients

The front doors of the medical center open to a shared entrance with both St. Joseph's and Innovis reception areas ready to greet patients Dec. 8. Volunteers will be on hand to escort guests get to where they need to be.

Entrance office hours have initially been set from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.

Bev Johnson, St. Joseph's Admitting Manager, and her staff are examples of a can-do attitude as they work to make the transition as soon as possible. She says hours could change depending on how operations flow. They are prepared to make adjustments as the system needs tweaking. So far, they are trying to anticipate needs for admission in the new building as well as the emergency entrance.

Anyone arriving at St. Joseph's for pre-8 a.m. appointments should use the emergency department entrance marked with red letters above St. Joseph's former public entrance. Those with scheduled procedures after 8 a.m. should use the new main entrance. Of course, anyone arriving for emergency care should go straight to the emergency entrance.

"Logistically, we are doing all we can to make the move to the new and remodeled facilities as smoothly and with as little inconvenience for patients as possible," Koppelman says. In the meantime, he asks the public to be patient as the remodeling progresses.

Albertson similarly concurs. "With a new building, more than one floor of clinical care, a new phone system, and gradually transitioning to an electronic medical record, we will certainly be undergoing a great deal of change," she says. "Realistically we can't expect all to go without a hitch until we have had an opportunity to work in the space and develop the level of efficiency we want to achieve internally and for our patients."

Leaving an old friend, hello to new

It is with mixed feelings that some Innovis Health employees say good-bye to the existing clinic building.

"It has been our home away from home for a long time," Albertson reflects on the moment. "Although the old clinic will be physically gone, memories within these walls will not fade. I would like to extend our thanks and appreciation to all who have been a part of the development and growth of our medical facility over the past 30 years."

Peter Jacobson, Innovis Health's Vice President of Regional Operations/Primary Care in Fargo and former St. Joseph's President/CEO has been back in town actively supporting clinic staff with the move.

He is equally excited in being a part of the transition. "We are excited to begin providing care in this new environment," Jacobson says. "The physical connection to St. Joseph's will only add to the very collaborative relationship we enjoy and will improve the patients experience with both organizations."

On a personal note he adds: "It is very gratifying to see the culmination of dedicated work by many people over many years. The entire Park Rapids area should take pride in this significant accomplishment."

Work continues

As Koppelman mentioned earlier, ongoing construction and remodeling efforts will continue in the hospital well into the better half of 2009.

There is also work that needs to be completed from a fundraising standpoint. While the community came through in a big way to raise $1.9 million, St. Joseph's Foundation still needs to raise another $600,000 to meet the initial community goal of $2.5 million.

Monday will be witness to the great things that can happen when we all come together to make our area communities a healthier place in which to live, Koppelman says, "however, we still need your help to complete the job."

Anyone who would like to make a donation or pledge and still get a tax-deductible donation by Dec. 31 can call Cynthia Rooney at 218-237-5711.

There is still time to have your name included on St. Joseph's honorary donor wall for anyone who contributes $1,000 or more prior to the grand opening which is currently being planned for early February.