EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — With the opening of the new Menard Center for Emergency Care on Wednesday, Oct. 1, Luther Midelfort will continue its legacy of providing the highest quality emergency medicine to patients now and in the future.
A private ribbon-cutting ceremony will be Thursday, Sept. 18. A public open house, including refreshments and tours of the new facility, will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Menard Center for Emergency Care, 1400 Bellinger St.
Eau Claire native John Menard Jr. gave a $15 million gift to establish the center at Luther Midelfort, part of Mayo Health System, and the Menard Transformational Fund for Education at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
“Everybody deserves high-quality medical care, no matter who they are or where they live,” Menard said. “I am proud to partner with Mayo in their efforts to transform the future of medical education and believe in their vision that the needs of the patient must always come first. I am very humbled that the Luther Midelfort facility will bear my name, but the most important thing to me is that people from my hometown will have access to a bigger, better state-of-the-art emergency care center and confidence that they are receiving the best possible medical care.”
Luther Midelfort’s $30 million Emergency Department project includes 18 beds in an area of about 20,000 square feet, which triples the current space. Special features, which the public will be able to view on the tours, include:
- Three suites designed to specifically handle trauma cases. Luther Midelfort is the regions only Level II Trauma Center and has had an open-heart surgery program for 15 years. Neither of these specialties was offered when the current Emergency Department opened.
- A rooftop touchdown pad for the Mayo One helicopter with direct elevator access to the Emergency Department and an enclosed ambulance garage with space for two ambulances.
- More room for family members to be closer to patients.
- A fast-track program where patients with minor emergencies can be treated and released more quickly.
“Luther Midelfort is committed to delivering the highest quality emergency and trauma care,” said Dr. Randall Linton, president and chief executive officer of Luther Midelfort. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Mr. Menard, which helps us fulfill that promise and set the standard for emergency care for community hospitals nationwide.”
The new Emergency Department opens to patients on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The current Emergency Department space will be reconfigured to offer a six-bed observation unit where patients experiencing chest pain or other conditions can be monitored without being admitted to the hospital and to expand the adjacent Luther Hospital operating rooms.
The two-story building project covers 90,000 square feet and creates space for an east addition to Midelfort Clinic – Luther Campus. These areas also will be on the public tour:
- Internal Medicine/Infectious Disease/International Travel Clinic, second floor: Patients will use new rooms specially designed for procedures, IV therapy and education.
- Midelfort Pharmacy & Home Medical, first floor: Private consultation space is a feature in this new location, which fills more than 7,000 prescriptions per month.
- Physical Therapy, lower level: The new, large rehab gym offers strengthening and conditioning equipment and has netting in a “caged” space where patients can swing a golf club, throw a football or kick a soccer ball. More private treatment rooms allow a quieter environment for therapeutic massage and manual therapy.
“This entire project — which offers access to primary care and rehabilitation as well as emergency medicine — was designed with input from patients and staff to ensure that we deliver care with value and efficiency in mind,” Linton said.
“We believe this project furthers Luther Midelfort’s patient-centered focus, highlighting quality care and customer service while accentuating patient privacy and convenience. As Luther Midelfort grows to better meet the community’s healthcare needs, we are proud to offer this cutting-edge facility to our patients.”
ATTENTION MEDIA: After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr. Menard and Dr. Linton will be available for interviews from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in the new Emergency Department. For more information on arranging interviews, contact Jay Edenborg at 715-838-1965 or edenborg.jay@mayo.edu.
