Gundersen Tri-County Hospital

Gundersen Tri-County Hospital has unveiled a state-of-the-art replacement facility for the Whitehall community. This new, modern healthcare center will succeed the original hospital, which has served the area since 1917.

The new facility introduces a full-service critical access hospital to the community, providing 24 patient beds, two trauma bays, enhanced emergency room services, upgraded operating rooms, and private pre- and post-operation rooms.

A notable feature of the new hospital is its commitment to green energy, with a design that accommodates solar panels on the concrete roof. These solar panels are part of the hospital's goal to become net zero in energy consumption, with plans for the solar array to eventually supply half of the hospital's energy needs. Understanding the physical layout and spacing requirements of these panels was crucial to ensure optimal energy production and structural integrity.

The project, a $51 million investment, broke ground in March 2022 and welcomed patients into the new facility on July 24, 2023. Services to patients were never disrupted during construction, as the old hospital continued operations until the new one was ready. This seamless transition was critical to maintaining continuous care for the approximately 20,000 people in the hospital's service region.

The new hospital, twice the size of its predecessor, promises a long future ahead, continuing the legacy of healthcare service in Whitehall.