Lutheran Kosciusko Celebrates $30M Expansion, Renovation With Groundbreaking

Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital celebrated a $30 million expansion and renovation project with a ceremonial groundbreaking on Tuesday, April 18. From left: Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. CEO Alan Tio, LKH Medical Staff President Dr. Patrick Ilada, Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, LKH Board Chair Alan Alderfer, LKH CEO Lynn Mergen, Grace College’s Dr. John Teevan and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital has celebrated an expansion and renovation project which will add 25,700 square feet to its facility.

The Warsaw hospital had a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $30 million project on Tuesday, April 18.

LKH CEO Lynn Mergen, LKH staff, and local government and business officials were present for the event.

“I’m proud that we have come together today to celebrate the start of the expansion and renovation to Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital,” said Mergen, who spoke before the groundbreaking. “We’ve already completed a refresh of all patient rooms, public spaces and nurses’ stations on the medical, surgical and intensive care units, but more improvements are on the way.”

“The biggest impact (will be) in surgical services,” he said. “New pre- and post-surgical bays will be larger and allow for better patient privacy and more room for family members, a new surgical recovery area will be optimally sized and provide for greater efficiency for the teams here and for the patients. An existing operating room will be renovated and enlarged, allowing for surgeons to perform more complex surgeries. The area where we sterilize our equipment is being updated with new technology, and this is important for our surgical program to expand.”

“We are also focusing on the patient experience,” Mergen said. “The front lobby will be enlarged, redesigned, making the space more friendly and welcoming. And to help patients get around the campus, we will be expanding and resurfacing the parking lot, adding new exterior signage with greatly improved patient wait time. Lutheran Health Network is committed to the residents of Kosciusko County and the surrounding areas.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of our physicians, our talented local leadership team as well as (LKH Board Chair) Alan (Alderfer) and the rest of the members of the board,” he said. “I want to thank them all. I know they will make sure that Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital continues to bring value to this community through the excellent care we provide.”

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer also spoke.

“Over the last (almost) 47 years, (the hospital) has been operated and staffed by local committed professionals, mostly from this community,” he said. “The impact on our quality of life has been immeasurable. We have seen KCH, now Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital, continue to honor their commitment to helping our citizens for the betterment of our community.”

“A commitment to grow and add medical services over the years has broadened local … care that keeps families close,” he said. “When the need for hospital care becomes a necessity, newer, modern facilities more confidently welcome patients. That investment in facilities is what we celebrate today. On behalf of the Warsaw community, we are most appreciative of Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital’s continued commitment to serving the needs of our growing community. There is no better example of how to ensure quality of life than accessible quality health care.”

Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker noted the changes to the hospital would be “an awesome addition to our community.”

He said both the chamber and LKH “both want healthier businesses and healthier individuals in our community and that’s what we go to work every day for.”

“We’re so thankful that there’s growth happening because it does keep our individuals local and makes our quality of life better,” he said.

Parker mentioned LKH working “with other health care systems (is why) we have been named one of seven healthy communities across the state of Indiana by the Wellness Council of Indiana.”

Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. CEO Alan Tio said “this expansion illustrates the role of this hospital at the front door of our community.”

“The presence of quality health care is a key factor in determining where business leaders consider whether to grow and start their businesses. It’s also a key factor more recently where individuals are choosing where … to start their careers and … grow their families,” said Tio. “We find that people are increasingly mobile, right? And so this hospital has long been focused on providing specialized services on site, right on this campus, which directly contributes to the brand promise we have when we say, ‘You can find your way in Kosciusko County.'”

Mergen told media members after the groundbreaking that it should take about a year to finish everything, with the hospital still being fully operational during all that time, though people will be redirected.

With the changes, the front entrance will be glass and be out around 50 feet from where it is currently, said Mergen.