$18.3M Renovation Project Planned for Waukesha Memorial Hospital

ProHealth Care announced Monday a three-year renovation project that will dramatically transform main concourse and enhance many clinical areas.

“Our patients tell us that what they like best about Waukesha Memorial is the personal care they receive,” said John Robertstad, president of ProHealth Care’s hospital division. “With this extensive renovation project, our entire facility will better support the outstanding care our people deliver every day.”   

The project has begun with reconstruction of the east entry, second-floor lobby and adjacent areas – work that will result in a beautiful new central concourse for the hospital. The project will include a new café with a 300-seat dining area that wraps around a courtyard, providing a bright and inviting area for patients, families, visitors and hospital employees. 

The new concourse will include a pharmacy, gift shop, family resource center, coffee shop and greeter’s desk. 

The revitalization plans also incorporate many of the hospital’s clinical areas. Among the areas receiving comprehensive updates will be intensive care, surgery, neurology, oncology and general surgery. 

ProHealth Care has committed $18.3 million to the project so far and will commit more dollars as the work continues.

Waukesha Memorial is a tertiary center with highly specialized heart, cancer, orthopedic and women’s services, and a Level III newborn intensive care unit. The hospital has 301 inpatient beds and treats 40,000 patients in its emergency department each year. It is the fourth largest hospital in the Milwaukee area.

“Waukesha Memorial Hospital has played a central role in the Waukesha community for nearly 100 years,” said Susan Edwards, chief executive officer of ProHealth Care. “With this new investment, we are ensuring that the hospital can meet the community’s needs for many more years to come.”

As part of the project, ProHealth is partnering with the vibrant local arts community to establish a collection of pieces that will adorn the newly renovated spaces. The artwork that is chosen will harmonize with the look and feel of the space and contribute to the hospital’s healing environment. Studies show that artwork can be an important element in the healing experience of patients.

“This partnership between our community’s artists and our hospital is a natural fit,” said Lynn Gaffey, president of Waukesha West End Artists, a coalition of 150 area artists who display their art in downtown Waukesha.  “Art adds to the beauty of life, and people feel better when they see it. We are thrilled that our creations will complement the newly renovated spaces at Waukesha Memorial.”

Artists interested in more information about the project can go to www.prohealthcare.org/communityart.

Editor's note: The above information was provided to Patch via a news release from ProHealth Care.