Prairie Lakes Healthcare System broke ground October 25, 2016 on a $40 million expansion project on the hospital campus. The project will include a new 65,000 square foot, two-story clinic building, state-of-the-art patient care technology, a new east entrance canopy, and helipad relocation. The Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic is anticipated to open early fall of 2018.
In its thirty year history, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has grown with Watertown and their service area in Northeast South Dakota. More than a decade ago, the Board of Directors committed to build specialty medical and surgical services. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System grew from one employed specialty physician in 2003 to 21 in 2016. This growth improved regional access to specialty services. Today physicians employed by Prairie Lakes Healthcare System operate 17 outreach clinics in surrounding communities. October 25th they built on this commitment by breaking ground on a new Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic to support continued growth.
“Prairie Lakes Healthcare System believes not only keeping up with the constant changes in healthcare, but keeping ahead of them,” said Jim Redlinger, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “We offer a wide variety of services and programs that align with what the community needs. Many of our services, like dermatology and interventional cardiology, are rare to find in our type of service area. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System now needs additional space to accommodate service growth. The Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic building will be a great addition to our campus.”
Looking west to the future Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic and east entrance canopy.
The helipad will relocate to the roof of the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic, which will attach adjacent to the emergency department and radiology services. Over 12,000 emergency room visits enter the east entrance annually. The canopy will be a welcome addition for those patients.
Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic will be home to services already offered by Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and will allow room for future growth. Specialty services moving to the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic include cardiology, dermatology, general surgery, nephrology, pulmonology and urology. The new building will include a lab, adding convenience for many patients needing those services in conjunction with their appointment.
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Looking north to the future Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic. The hospital main entrance is on the left side of the photo. -
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and Glacial Lakes Orthopaedics will make the move to the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic to be on the same floor for patient convenience. The new rehabilitation therapy department will include a state-of-the-art therapy pool. A notable feature of the future therapy pool is a lift that will lower patients slowly into the water without having to use steps.
“In addition to supporting our growth, this project will improve the patient experience,” said Jill Fuller, President and CEO. “The addition of exterior canopies will protect patients and their visitors from South Dakota elements. Patients will truly have a one stop appointment at the Prairie Lakes Specialty Clinic with specialty and lab services located under one roof.”
Beginning November 8th traffic to the main entrance and Sanford Clinic will be rerouted. Patients may utilize Skyline Drive and follow the signs to access the main entry. Access to the east entrance, used primarily for emergency room and surgical services visits, will be minimally affected during construction.
