Heather Schimmers, Gundersen Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer | Bellin Health's Bellin Memorial Hospital
Heather Schimmers, Gundersen Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer | Bellin Health's Bellin Memorial Hospital
In 2010, Bellin Health recognized the need to upgrade its over 50-year-old emergency department due to increasing demand and service coverage changes. The facility was experiencing more than 30,000 visits annually, prompting a renovation to enhance its capacity and efficiency.
The project resulted in a 32,448-square-foot expansion designed to improve patient flow and access. Dr. Paul Casey, a retired Bellin emergency physician, explained that the initiative aimed to address rising needs that the previous care model could not accommodate.
The renovation included several key components: a reception area designed to reduce front-end congestion and expedite triage; multifunctional treatment areas for flexible bed placement; alternative spaces for less urgent cases; an aesthetically pleasing design with natural light and skylights; an observation area for overnight patient monitoring; private bathrooms in each room; and a child-friendly KidCare space.
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