See the Future of Obstetrics: WinnMed Opens New Renovated Unit for Public Preview

DECORAH — As the first project of Transforming Tomorrow to reach completion, WinnMed has announced the opening of the newly renovated obstetrics unit and invites the community to a "sneak peek" open house on Thursday, December 19, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Guests should park in Lot A and enter through the main entrance. The $50 million Transforming Tomorrow project, which includes the renovation and expansion of obstetrics, surgery, and clinic spaces, was approved by the WinnMed Board of Trustees in December 2023. Clark Goltz, chair of the WinnMed Board of Trustees, says, "As part of Transforming Tomorrow, the Board enthusiastically supported the inclusion of a new obstetrics unit. The renovation allows us to affirm our commitment to the region that we will provide obstetric services for years to come and to meet our vision to provide an 'unparalleled experience as the most trusted partner for health care.'" The obstetrics renovation began in March 2024 The renovated and remodeled obstetrics unit features six labor, delivery, recovery, and post-partum (LDRP) suites, where the patient stays in one suite for her entire hospital stay. Each private suite is designed with safety and comfort in mind. Suites include a private bathroom and whirlpool tub, home-like furniture, pass-through supply closets, and serenity doors. These features, along with sound-dampening strategies built in throughout the space, work together to provide the patient a restful experience. Additional features include a family lounge, an infant nursery, an expanded nurses' station, and, as Transforming Tomorrow continues and the surgical renovations are completed, direct access from obstetrics to surgery for patients needing a cesarean section. Brianne Leikvold, BSN, nursing director of Obstetrics, says, "We have worked hard to design a space that promotes comfort, safety and rest while enabling in-the-room education with our dedicated obstetric nurses. If patients are here for the first time or have delivered with us before, we look forward to welcoming families into our new obstetrics unit." Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System providers deliver at WinnMed, including family medicine physicians, OB/GYN specialists, and a midwife. WinnMed offers 24/7 epidural services, and for patients who require a c-section, it provides a patient-focused, gentle c-section experience. Sarah Wymer, M.D., Mayo Clinic Health System family medicine and obstetric physician, says, "Our patients consistently express their trust in our OB team delivering their newborn and helping them start out as a new or growing family. Our dedicated OB nurses demonstrate daily their skills, knowledge, and compassion, and with the completion of the updated Obstetrics unit, our beautiful, new space will enhance the level of personalized care patients have come to expect from us." Dr. Wymer shares medical directorship of Obstetrics with Gundersen Health System family medicine physician Kristy Schilling, M.D. Following the sneak peek open house on Thursday, December 19, the obstetrics unit will undergo final preparations for the move to the new space. The new obstetrics unit will open for patients on December 30, 2024. The WinnMed Foundation has created opportunities for donors to be part of the project. To learn more about naming possibilities within the new space, contact the Foundation office at 563-387-3129. To learn more about obstetric care and services, visit www.WinnMed.org. Don't miss out on important updates! Subscribe to the newsletter for free and stay informed about local topics that matter most to you.