SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital leaders, as well as Beaver Dam community partners, celebrated construction now underway at 2100 Kellom Road in Beaver Dam, conveniently located off Highway 151. The June 4 gathering at the new location featured brief remarks from SSM Health leaders and physicians, as well as a tree planting symbolizing the coming together of the two dialysis facilities with the combined soils and water from existing Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac, and Waupun locations. The hospital is consolidating its dialysis center facilities in Beaver Dam and Waupun into one newly remodeled facility. It is scheduled to open to patient care on Monday, September 9, 2024. SSM Health is working with WDS Construction on the $2.5 million project. “WDS Construction and JCW Development are excited to be collaborating with SSM Health for this new dialysis center, which will be a great resource for the Beaver Dam community and surrounding areas,” according to Ben Westra, WDS Construction president. “We are committed to building better communities, and being involved with this project is a great honor. This tree is a symbol for health and growth, and we appreciate the opportunity to play a role in making this project a reality.” SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital has been offering outpatient dialysis services for patients who live with end-stage renal disease for more than 50 years. Dialysis is the process of removing excess water and toxins from the blood in people whose kidneys can no longer perform these functions naturally. “The demand for dialysis services has grown across the country due in part to an aging population who often experience a higher rate of kidney-related disease,” according to Nicole Gill, SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital/SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital vice president/clinical administrator. “I am grateful to be part of this exciting project.” The 7,900-square-foot facility will feature 16 patient care stations and one isolation station for high-risk patients. SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital’s Dialysis Center in Beaver Dam will have the capacity to treat up to 64 patients per week. The new facility will provide more patient care space; large windows in treatment area; more spacious lobby area for welcoming environment; enhanced parking; newer facilities equipment, such as heating and cooling, and water systems. “We’re excited that this newer facility will help us continue to enhance our patients’ overall care experiences in a facility designed specifically for dialysis services,” says Diane Posthuma, SSM Health Wisconsin regional dialysis director. “Through our new design, we will have access to more efficient spaces, which will help our staff be as productive as possible. We also know that overall, we will operate in a more energy efficient building.” Depending upon their medical diagnosis, patients frequently have to spend up to four hours per day, three days a week connected to dialysis machines, which is why a clean, inviting facility and friendly caring staff of health professionals is important. “I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm about our new facility and what it will mean for our patients and the caring and dedicated team who cares for them,” according to Bret Pasiuk, MD, an SSM Health board-certified nephrologist. “Our focus has been to provide high-quality, convenient dialysis services locally, and this new location will bring state-of-the-art equipment and the highest quality care to those patients and families that we serve.” SSM Health was joined at the celebration by Mike Wissell, City of Beaver Dam mayor; Nathan Thiel, City of Beaver Dam city administrator; Tracy Propst, Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce executive director and Ambassadors; and Trevor Viren, WDS Construction project manager. Jan Harmsen, SSM Health Waupun Market Council president was also on hand. “As Mayor of the City of Beaver Dam, I am very pleased that SSM Health Dialysis Center is expanding the regional center here on Kellom Road in Beaver Dam,” says Mike Wissell, City of Beaver Dam mayor. “This new easily accessible location provides a much-needed service to our area residents.”
