Celebrating the region’s new Crossing Rivers Health Medical Center
Contact: Sasha Dull
After nearly five years of extensive research, planning, and construction, Crossing Rivers Health celebrated the completion and upcoming opening of the new Medical Center in Prairie du Chien. The ribbon cutting ceremony and open house held this past weekend was attended by more than 2,500 people including city officials, hospital executives and employees, special guests and the public. Attendees were able to get a behind the scenes look at the new Medical Center, before it opens for patient care on Thursday, June 11.
At the Dedication Ceremony held the afternoon of Friday, June 5, Bill Sexton, Chief Executive Officer, welcomed attendees and stated, “What a momentous occasion. This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It was just short of two years ago that many of us stood on these grounds with golden shovels in hand to symbolically begin the construction of the amazing building in which you now stand.”
Sexton praised the work of BWBR architects, Market & Johnson Construction and Stockton Facilities Management for their leadership through this process and for keeping the project on time and on budget.
Ron Kind, Congressional representative for Wisconsin’s 3rd District, congratulated Crossing Rivers Health on the completion of the new Medical Center and for providing cutting-edge of technology and quality health care to the region. He praised Crossing Rivers Health’s dedication and commitment to the long term growth and success of the region.
Stan Gruszynski, State Director of the US Department of Agriculture, shared remarks as well, “Modern health care facilities are essential to the growth and prosperity of rural communities. What has been accomplished here in Prairie du Chien is testimony to the importance of partnership, cooperation, investment, and collaboration between this institution, its community, and the federal government.” The USDA provided a $32.4 million Community Facility Direct Loan to assist in the financing for the project.
The keynote speaker was one of the greatest football linebackers of all time and retired Green Bay Packer, Dave Robinson. Mr. Robinson humored the audience with his stories and experiences playing during the Lombardi era.
The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held on Saturday, just before community members were welcomed in for tours. The tours provided a glimpse of a variety of areas and equipment, including the Rehabilitation Department, the new CT and MRI, Emergency Urgent Care, Surgical Department, and the in-patient rooms.
The new Medical Center will open its doors to patients at 6:00 a.m. this Thursday, June 11.