Avera Health, Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital

Replacement Critical Access Hospital

Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital
Avera Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital Replacement Critical Access Hospital

Avera Health, Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital

Replacement Critical Access Hospital

Rock Rapids, Iowa

Faced with an undersized 60-year-old facility near the end of its useful life, Merrill Pioneer Community Hospital selected BWBR to create a new care center on a greenfield site. The new campus complements the rich heritage and vibrant growth of this rural Iowa community, while attracting new patients, high-quality care providers, and staff.

The replacement Critical Access Hospital with integrated clinic accomplishes several goals, including optimized flow and function through a Lean-designed floor plan with logical departmental adjacencies. Additionally, spacious patient rooms offer homey comforts for those in need of longer stays. Each room provides a dedicated staffing zone, ample space for families, abundant natural light, and a private bathroom.

The entire campus is designed for expansion, with departments anticipating future growth — such as clinic and imaging — placed on the exterior walls. Flexibly balancing today with tomorrow, this community hub enthusiastically promotes wellness, a continuum of care, and generational health.

Size: 51,700 sq. ft.

Components: Eight-bed Critical Access Hospital, expandable to 11 beds; emergency department; surgery suite; imaging; rehabilitation; patient rooms that accommodate bariatric patients with oversized doors and large private bathrooms; lab; café and public dining; administration and support spaces

Completion: 2019

Jason Nordling
Scott Holmes (retired)
Stephanie Alstead
Steve Busse
Bryan Desma
Lauren Frank
Matt Gerstner
Allen Hoglund (retired)
Dave Leighly
Inga Oelschlager (retired)
Dan Sterner
Jennifer Ukura